Evening star., 1922-03-28
DRY YFORCESADMIT =.
POLITICAL ACTIVITY
Anti-SaIoon League Protest
ed Appointment of SIX |
Federal Judges. g4

The part that the Anti-Saloon
League took in politics. protesting
the appointment "of half a dozen or
more federal judges" and urging the
appointment of Prohibition Commits
sioner Haynes, as shown in an in
quiry conducted before the House ap-
public late yesterday.
In reply to questions by members OF
the appropriations committee, Wayne
3. Wheeler, general counsel for the
Ahti-Saloon League, testified
Asked by Representative Tinkham.
republican, Massachusetts. IL he had
ever recommended the appointment OF
a federal judge, Mr.. Wheeler replied:
I'VE have protested the appointment
of some, and / think that when some
have come up ! have sent across let
ters stating that such and such men
have made very effective, faithful
public officials, and if they were ap-
pointed to those places would doubt
less make the same kind of a record.
We did not go into a question OF pick
ing personalities"
Protest Against Half Dozen.
Pressed as TO the number of judge
ship nominations which he had pro-
tested on behalf of the league Mr..
w necleT TepllcO tnat IL was OOHt
the cases "of half d dozen or more
federal judges"
Appearing in advocacy of approprla-
tions sufficient to enforce the pro-
hibition law. Mr.. Wheeler was put
through extensive examination by
Mr.. Tinkham concerning the leagues
alleged activities in politics and its
alleged influence in the selection of
prohibition enforcement officers.
The league. Mr.. Wheeler said. did
not oppose the appointment of Com
missioner Blair of the internal reve-
nue. bureau.
WAS Mr.. Haynes suggested by your
organization to Mr.. Blair or to the
appointing power. Secretary Mellon?"'
Mr.. Tinkham asked.
1T was some of his friends back in
Ohio" Mr.. Wheeler replied. He had
been strong friend of the Presi
, dent. and some of his friends thought
| it would be nice thing 10 give him
| that Office. We were satisfied he
| would be appointed We were glad
! that he should be appointed
Opposed Ineficiency.
J Mr. Tinkham wanted to know if III,
organization had anything to do with
Mr.. Haynes.
Except this. that we opposed those
| who were going in there who we be
liered would be corrupt or ineffi
| cient," Mr.. Wheeler said. "and wher
| ever We had the opportunity We gave
| our Endorsement to a man that We
! believed would make good, honest ef-
forts to enforce the law
| Mr.. Wheeler was questioned by Mr..
Tinkham as to his dealings with gov
ernment officials in his general desire
| to bring about rigid prohibition en-
| forcement-
Now. I want to ask along those
! lines. and I think it is legitimate, :"
said Mr.. Tinkham, about your ap-
proach to public officials-whether
you have approached them or not
| Did you approach the President in re-
; lation to the appointment of a Sec
, retary of the Treasury-who should
/ be Secretary of the Treasury"
T, Il sent him a communication. l
think, Mr.. Wheeler replied. asking
! that no one be placed in that posi-
I tion who was hostile to the enforce
ment of the law, inasmuch as he woul'i
| have something to do with il. We dId
! not take up with him particularly the
personnel or anything else as / re
| call it"
Omcials Against Prohibition.
| Mr. Wheeler said there were a num-
! ber Of good officials now enforcing toe
i law who did not believe in. prohibi-
tion.
J Touching on the question of the
| leagues activity in politics. Mr.. Tinks
ham introduced statement signed ps
! Mr.. Wheeler and filed with the clerk
| of the House October 90, 1920. show
/ ing the expenditure of about s55i.
, some of it in the Minnesota district
| represented by Chairman Volstead OF
: the House judiciary committee, au-
thor of the Volstead law.
An accompanying statement to the
! clerk of the House. signed by Mr..
| Wheeler. was presented by Mr.. Tink :.
| ham, in which Mr.. Wheeler. as treas:
urer of the campaign committee of
the league, declared that I'VE re-
spectfully protest any obligation or
the part of the Anti-Saloon League of
America to file this report under the
(elections) law. as the activities of
the league are educational. scientific.
charitable, rather than political, as
j intended by the law" 1t added: I'VE
| file this report, therefore, under pro-
| test, covering those contributions and
expenses only in connection with the
national organization in the election
of congressman. as indicated in the
J report"
Auto-car theft losses in the United
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