Arizona republican., 1921-09-02
NE W DIRECT OR
 IF PROHIBITION ASSUMES OFFICE
Mike Cassidy of Bisbee Takes Over Duties As Head of Dry Enforce ment Forces In State

Michael E. Cassidy new federal prohibition director for Arizona, whose appointment was announced several weeks ago, assumed the du- ties of his office yesterday. He is awaiting authority from Washington, however, to pay current bills, as this is the beginning of the month, and several telegrams regarding this passed between him and Washington officials yesterday, but in any event he will be sworn in today and inn mediately take up his duties.
 Cassidy is well known throughout the state. For several years he has been chief of the claims bureau of the Phelps Dodge corporation at Bis bee, and during his residence of more than 20 years in the state he has been prominently identified with the Republican party. He succeeds w. J. Webb, who has been prohibition director for the state since the Vol stead act became law. Assisting in the transfer of the office from Webb to Cassidy is John Excinios. general prohibition agent for the west, who is here from Washington.
 When asked concerning his policy as prohibition director Cassidy de- clared yesterday that strict enforce ment of the national prohibition amendment, without fear or favor, will mark his administration.
 "The eighteenth amendment he said. ''is an integral part of the con stitution of the United States. The enforcement act is a statute written in the laws of this country. There IS only one thing to do, and that is to enforce the law to the limit, and this I intend to make the policy of my office
 Public opinion in Arizona has spoken twice decisively in favor of prohibition. without. regard to the l national prohibition laws, and it is my intention to see that the wish of
 the people of this state be carried out | without hesitancy.
 T am well aware that efficient en- 1 forcement includes not only the ap- | prehension of the hip pocket boot 1 legger, the bringing of justice of those 1 engaged in the traffic on a large scale, but the fact that prohibition 1 agents themselves must keep within | the law. No deviation from the stric' | line of their lawful authority will bt l tolerated. Should any such derelic- ton occur during my term of office | I will thank any citizen, and, for tha | matter. any bootlegger, to bring it tt | my attention.
 l All 1tQcIdi l ment agents are obliged to carr, | commissions with them in their work In addition to the commission decla
 ration there are photographs on them l I would suggest to citizens who ma, be stopped or interrogated, especial. at night, on the question of the Vol stead act, that they ask the question l direct if the officer is a federal of | ficer. If the answer Is in the affirm ative, the officers authority shoul'
 be asked for and the commission shown. In case the officer can no
 satisfy the citizen he is asked |
 make a full report of the matter {
 the federal director.
 'Impersonating federal officer } felony and it behooves every goo citizen to lend his, assistance i , bringing cases of this nature to tn
 attention of the proper authorities. T am entering upon my duties wit : the firm conviction that nothing les } than a fearless, vigilant, determine campaign against law violation in a. } forms will meet with any degree c success. but, more than that, I ar confident that a stamping out of tn
 vice can be accomplished onl
 through the unqualified support c
 the law abiding citizens, and I there
 fore urgently call upon all citizens
 lend their cooperation to the per
 formance of this public service"