Norwich bulletin., 1922-01-28
CHANGE IN PROHIBITION
OFFICERS IN MASSACHUSETTS

Washington, Jan. 27.-Federa1 prohibit
tion enforcement machinery in Massachu-
setts was readjusted today by the internal
revenue bureau with the appointment OF
James P Roberts of Brookline as chief
enforcement officers for the state sue
ceeding Harold D. Wilson who was re-
moved from the service.
At the same time General Prohibition
Agent John Harper of the Washington
staff was assigned Temporarily to as
sist the new appointee in the enforcement
work in Massachusetts,
Federal Prohibition Director Potter
apparently retains that office as ~
change was announced concerning him.
The action of the bureau which was
made public by both internal revenms
Commissioner Blair and Prohibition
Commissioner Haynes in lengthy state
ments came as a result of a long contro-
versy between the two Massachusetts, Of
f,.als over proh soition enforcement in
tnat state.
May Haynes in his statement reviewed
| the Developments in the case since last
July when Mr.. Potter, who was then sup
ei'vising agent for Massachusetts, was
appointed federal director, the position
then held by Mr.. Wilson and the latter
was made head of the field force
Differendas between Mr.. P,4ur and
Mr. Wilson developed soon after this re
Adjustment Mr.. Haynes said and Mr..
| Wilson was repeatedly warned that he
was not showing sufficient discretion in
| his attitude toward the director; and his
public statements often went far beyond
| the line of propriety which should be oto-
served by every public official.
When there was no improvement in the
situation, Mr. Haynes continued and it
| I1-o lola ,pbo
view of the fact there never was a ques-
ton Of Mr.. Wilson's honesty, energy
and interest" he was offered a position
in the general agents office which ne die
not regard fauorably
Mr.. Haynes declared Mr. Wilson "show.
ed an utter lack of respect for superiors'
when pending the adjustment of fioo1
space in the Boston office he carried hi!
criticism of officials to the public thrcugl
the press and the platform. Mr. wilson!
relations with Mr.. Potter were charac
terized by Mr.. Haynes as storm cen
ter in administrative matters making i
useless to hope for ultimate har1noniou
relationships.
1t has been suggested" he continued
by SINE of Mr. Wilson'S friends tha
, the main difficulty is that Mr. wilson
eT- cement policy was too vigorous o
course, this was utterly without founda
ton for the success or lack of success
IN the specific work OF enforcement ha
not been considered in the settlement c
8 this issue. Politics has no emf red int
+ the discussion The degree of success
! achiesed in the enforcement work has nc
entered into the discussion, but the entfl
:, matter resolved itself into one big issu
r 7amety, that Mr.. Wilson tenrperamentaIl
! he Froven himself an impossibility IN Il
q Mass Fh1setts organization Where teal
work is IN absolute essential
His successor Mr.. Roberts, Mr. Hayn,
declared was heartily endorsed by Il
anti-saloon league of Massachusetts ar
! was f-rmerly associated with the trea SUI
department field force in that state
Commissioner Blair declared that stat
r ments made by Mr.. Wilson in interview
t IN Boston papers that Senator Lodge al
d number of representatives had soug
e his removal was untrue