The New York herald., 1922-11-18
JURY FAILS TO Hold
UP DAY RESIGNATION
Charges That Letter to Mellon
Involving Parsons Also
Was Delayed.
DRY FORCES ARE SCORED
Federal Court Body Says Law
Can Be Enforced Here With
Efficient Officers.
DRY FORCES ARE SCORED

The Federal Grand Jury investigat-
ing alleged prohibition frauds said
last night that the efforts Of the
Grand Jury to forestall acceptance
of the designations on November l OF
Ralph A. Day, enforcement director,
and John S. Parsons, chief State
enforcement agent, were defeated
through delay of a letter forwarded
on October 27" to Andrew W. Mellon,
Secretary of the Treasury.
The purpose of the letter written by
Mr.. Trenholm and approved by the
Department refuse to accept the resig
nations OF Parsons and Day so as to
Keep them under jurisdiction and so
place responsibility" The letter was
received IN Washington 80 late.' Mr..
Trenholm said, that the whole purpose
Of the Grand Jury was defeated"
The Grand Jury's letter in part. fol-
lows:
"The United States Grand Jury for
the Southern District OF New York.
no% sitting. has heard testimony be-
leved to be reliable indicating that
Prohibition Director for the State OF
New York, located at New York city
have been conducted in an inefficient
and dlsgraceful m>nner.
Apparently the agents selected for
the active work OF suppressing Illegal
traffic In whiskey have been chosen
principally for political reasons when
it was necessary TO select men for this
work who are worthy OF confidence ard
IL III, s1.af tt4.ss
would not yield TO the temptations to
which they would be subjected.
which II was we'll understood they
I would be subjected.
1.-THE testimony mentioned shows def
inltely that the agents operating directly
under Mr.. John S. Parsons. Chief En-
forcement officer and subject 20 his d.
rections, were treated unfairly and with
partially. At least some Of those who
connived with people engaged In Illegal
whisky traffic enjoyed the confidence OF
Mr.. Parsons and We're shown favoritism
by him, while In some instances the
agents who exerted themselves to en-
force the law were dismissed or trans
ferred from New York City elsewhere
to their disadvantage.
In one instance one OF the agents
whom he favored committed serious
violation of department regulations
which was OF such character that he
should have been promptly dismissed.
but he was retained.
Mr.. Parsons and Mr. John y.
Appleby. Divisional Chief OF the
General Prohibition Agents. stated un-
der oath that the facts IN the case were
communicated by them TO Mr.. Ralph a.
Day Mr.. Appleby further testified
that had he been in Mr. Days position
he would have suspended the agent
referred 70 and recommended his dis
mssal. This agents brother lent Mr.
Day a large amount Of money.
'Tn response TO the question as 20
why he failed TO investigate the conduct
OF this agent. Mr. Parsons said. i don {
know. except because I was a damn
/, fool. ! guess IL was considered that
anv man who offers as a reason for
having neglected 10 perform his duty
that he was a damn fool is unfit 10
hold the position that he occupies.
1T was Mr.. Days duty 70 know what
was going on In the office under his
charge. The Grand Jury Is OF the
10 be made at New York TO enforce the
Federal Prohibition law II Is necessary
that the office here be placed in other
hands and entrusted 10 the care Of
capable. responsible people. and that
Mr. Day and Mr.. Parsons should be
removed from their present positions.
''The Grand Jury feels that the In
formation herein contained should be
conveyed TO the rgoper authorities, and
therefore this letter Is written as a
result Of voluntary and unanimous
action OF the Grand jury