The Topeka state journal., 1922-06-15
Attorney General Daugherty Is
To Give a New Opinion.
Merchant Marine Is in Grave
Danger, Since Controversy.
BUSCH REITERATES CHARGE
Tho No Controversy Is Sought,
a Letter Is Welcome.
Many Requests for Congress To
Probe Charge, Made.

Washington. June 15--Matters be
gan shaping themselves today toward
definite action by the government
with respect to the sale of liquor on
American ships as set forth in letters
and statements made public by An
heuser Busch, Inc. of St. Louis
Indications were given at the treas
ury that Attorney General Daugh-
erty would be asked in the near Iu-
ture TO rule on the question OF whetiler
shfps under the American flag but be
vond the three-mile territorial limits
OF the United States were subject 70
the prohibition amendment and the
Nolstead act Acting Attorney Gen
eraI Frierson of the Wilson admins
trstior held that they are, but Lasker
of the shipping board in justirying the
present sale Of liquor on American
ships has said that the boards coun-
sci holds TO the opposite OF the Frler-
son ruling
Would Deny L. s. Aid.
Another definite move was made
thru presentation to the house mer-
chant marine committee considering
the pending merchant marine or snip
subsidy bill, of an amendment by Rep
Bankhead, Democrat, Alabama, un-
der which government aid would be
denied any American ship having
LIQUOR aboard either in storage. for
sale. or for any other disposition
The CDmmlttee Q4Q not dEL On AAlS
amendment today and members de-
clined to state how they regarded the
Amendments soon after Representa-
tive Bankhead presented his amend
ment, Representative Cooper, Repuo-
lican. Ohio. first in a statement ana
later in a speech in the house, de-
cIared he would support such an
amendment. as continuation of the
selling Of liquor on American boats
-'5ustifies the charges made by the
that Uncle
sam is engaged in bootlegging-
Views Are Conflicting
NO one will deny that the law
breaker. and the bootlegger in our
lands will be encouraged to carry on
his work by reason of the policy of the
shipping board" said Cooper, for it
places the government in the position
of admitting its inability and unwill-
ingness to enforce its own laws"
Wayne B. Wheeler, general counsel
for the Anti-Saloon league, in a state
ment on the matter. supplementing
one he issued yesterday. said; The
liquor situation on American ships is
misunderstood by many in view of the
recent decision of the supreme court, =
and added that both foreign and
American ships are now prohibited
from transporting or possessing bev-
erage liquor within the three-mile
limit. irrespective of treaties"
St. Louis, Mo, June 15.-The An
willing to produce witnesses TO sup
port charges made in the letters 20
August Busch and his son, Adolphus
Busch III to President Harding that
the United States shipping board is
violating the prohibition law and the
Nolstead act.
The local company has made nu-
merous requests for congressional
investigation into violations of the
prohibition act, o. A. Remmers. gen
eral counsel. said. and is prepared TO
produce witnesses to support its
Await a Formal Reply.
Adolphus Busch III was today
waiting TO receive the letter of Chair
man Lasker of the shipping board in
answer to his first letter. which ac-
companied that of his father, which
was written aboard the steamship
George Washington and later sent TO
the president.
Mr.. Busch last night gave the As
sociated Press his answer to Mr.. Las
ker's letter, taking it for granted that
Lasker's letter had been printed cor
rectly in newspapers here.
Whether or not Mr.. Lasker will re-
ply to the second letter of Adolphus
Busch III early today was unknown
here.
a reply. however, representatives of
the firm here announced, was antici-
pated. altho no controversy is being
sought with Mr.. Lasker
The original letter of August A
Busch with that of Adolphus Busch
III. were printed in circular form and
mailed to various newspapers thruout
the country last week, in order that
the newspapers would have them for
use simulta neously.
1t Was Versatility"
The booklet containing the letters
was Of eight pages. On the first page
cartoon of Uncle Sam with a club
in hand held in front of him and
labeled Prohibition enforcement -
was shown In the other hand. be-
hind him Uncle sam held a bottle, to
which a tag was attached with the
label shipping board-hooch for
sale" The cartoon was titled Versa
; tility"
The first and second pages of the
folder were given over to the letter Of
August A Busch written aboard the
George Washington in which he said
the United States was incomparab bly,
the biggest bootlegger in the world,
and the letter of his son Adolphus
Busch III. who declared it a violation
Of the prohibition law and Volstead
act for shipping board vessels to sell
liquor while flying the United States
flag.
other pages of the folder display
an editorial Of the Chicago Tribune.
wen was mentioned in the letters of
husch and Lasker, and the facsimile
OF wine list of the United States
steamer George Washington in which
number OF German wines and beer
are listed, together with American n
= .fi.shine whisky" at thirty cents