New Britain herald., 1922-07-10
BATTLE ROYAL DUE ON WET SHIP ISSUE
Dry Units Organizing for Hearing
 on Thursday

Washington, n G. July l0,-The hearing scheduled before the Depart ment of Justice next Thursday on the legality of the sale Of intoNicants on vessels of American registry will take the form of a battle royal between the vets and the dps, In view of the preparations being made by both sides 1t is pribable that the hearing will eX- tend over several days,
 Advocates of the sale of liquor on American ships are confident of their stand being sustained by Attorney General Daugherty. They base this confidence on the recent decision Of the Supreme Court and on a former interpretation by the Department of Justice.
 At the same time the dry forces un- der the banner of Wayne B. Wheeler, general counsel of the Ant-Saloon League, are marshaling their forces and dozens of organizations represent ing churches have asked that they be permitted to register their protest against the stand taken by the Ship ping Board.
 Haynes Asked Ruling.
 The Shipping Board side of the con- troversy likely will he argued by El- mer Schlesinger. counsel of the board. who gave the opinion on which Chair man Lasker acted when he authorized an American wet" fleet.
 The legal department of the prohi- bition unit also will present it's side Of the case The matter was referred to the Department of Justice on the init iation of Prohibition Commissioner Haynes, after his own counsel had issued a ruling which to some extent sustained the position taken by the shipping board. It was after Com missioner Haynes realized that the ruling from his own unit left the way open for the practice installed by Chairman Lasker that he requested s-Hretary of the Treasury Mellon to Attorney General DauGherty for decision that would be final
 Chairman Lasker and Commission CT Haynes are willing to abide by whatever the decision of the Depart ment of Justice may be. The chances are now said to be in favor of the Shipping Board. Attorney General
  the case thoroughly It will be some time after both sides have been heard before a decision is given by the department
 From the names of the organiza- tions that the Anti Saloon League has called 10 register their protests it is apparent that MT Wheeler is mobil- izing dry sentiment on a large scale On the other hand the Shipping Board merely seeks a decision from the highest governmental authority on the legal issue involved and the heads of the board are confident they will be sustained.
 ship Lines Interested. Shipping interests that have no connection with the board or the Emergency Fleet Corporation will appear to explain why they followed the lead of the board in serving in- toxicants on their vessels The case is regarded as of the ut- most importance not only to Amer ican shipping circles, but to the ma rine interests of other countries. The [ frank aim of the Anti Saloon League and of Commissioner Haynes is to get some such ruling as would bar for eign vessels from coming inside the three mile limit if they have ntoxi- cants on board, whether or not these supplies are sealed or in transit.
 Such ruling, it is realized, would | stir up hornets nest and make much trouble for the state depart nnenf as all the foreipn pafiopr ro determined not to let American laws interfere with the operation of their vessels.