The Mt. Sterling advocate., 1922-10-19
PUBLIC moNeY foa POLITICS

Public money Is being used by thu
federal prohibition commissioners OF
Ace. under the treasury department
to spread Republican partisan propa
ganda in behalf of Republican candi
dates for congressional and state of
fees. Under the camouflage of re
porting on the enforcement Of the Vol
stead act. the prohibition commission
er's office is issuing statements com.
mending Republican Office seekers
and predictions of Republican victory
in the November elections.
This partisan propaganda is prepar
ed by employees of the prohibition
commissioners Office, is printed on
stationery purchased with public
funds and by machines which are
presumably owned and operated to
do purely public work. In addition to
all of this, messengers drawing salar-
ies as employees of the treasury de-
partment carry the prohibition COM
missionets partisan publicity to all
the Washington newspaper cores
pondents.
The latest misuse of public money
and abuse of official power by the
prohibition commissioner in the inter-
est of Republican candidates is exem-
plified in the statement issued con-
cerning the political situation in
Ohio. Ostensibly on an official tour
of that state, and at public expense,
Commissioner Haynes seemingly con-
cerned himself largely with the Re
publican campaign there, and evi-
IDENTIFY spent some of his time and
some of the taxpayers money III get
ting in touch with Republican work
ers. The commissioners statement
that he combined politics and official
business in this trip to President
Harding's home state.
Following a review of his Survey
of Ohio enforcement conditions" the
commissioner arrives at what ap-
pears to have been the real intent Of
his visit and of his subsequent re-
lease' to newspapers. He says:
ASKED as to the political condi.
tions. Commissioner Haynes said:
President Harding's widespread
popularity in Ohio and that Of his
administration was given a decided
impetus by the action against liquor
on ships, and his increased estimates
as to the result in Ohio, where the
people are intensely devoted to strict
enforcement. Added to the presi- |
dents popularity is the high esteem
in which Carmi Thompson and Con-
gresham Simeon ID. Fess are held,
both of whom are unequivocal in
their attitude on law enforcement
Within forty-eight hours after the
issuance of this propaganda for the
president, Thompson and Fess came
the announcement that Commission
er Haynes is to return to Ohio to
take the stump for the Republican
candidates. His itinerary is being ar
ranged by Walter F.. Brown, chair
man of the Ohio Republican speakers
bureau. Brown is chairman of the
joint reorganization committee ap-
pointed year ago by President
Harding. and has been drawing a sal
airy of $4,000. So far, there has
been no reorganization of govern
ment departments
The prohibition commissioners Of
fee has staff of writer's who pre-.
pare publicity matter and issue it al
most daily in the form of mimeo-
graphed sheets bearing the imprint,
Information Bureau. Prohibition I'm
it," This bureau is an official gov
ernmental agency whose expenses
are paid out of taxes gathered from
Democrats, Republicans andp ersons
of all other political parties.
FOR RENT-Rooms and BATH
III