New-York tribune., 1922-11-18
Day Assailed by
Grand jury Inn
Foster Letter
tcoutinued from pase sns,

charged that the affairs of the pro-
hibition Office In New York had been
conducted in an inefficient and dis
graceful manner The purpose Of
the letter, Foreman Trenholm said last
night, was TO warn the Treasury Depart
tions of Mr., Day and Mr.. Parsons, so
az to ''keep them under jurisdiction"
and thus place responsibility. MI. Day
and Mr.. Parsons reejgned three days
later.
In this connection Mr.. Day pointed
out yesterday that his resignation was
In Washington and VAS approved
nearly thirty days before the communi-
cation OF the grand fury was written.
The letter follows:
October 81, 1922.
presiding Justice United States Dis
trict Court for the Southern Dis
trict of New York, New York, n. Y.
'Dear Sise-The United States Grand
Jury for the Southern District of New
York now sitting has heard testimony,
believed to be reliable, indicating that
the affairs of the office of the Federal
Prohibition Director for the State OF
New York, located at New York City,
have been conducted in an inefficient
and disgraceful manner.
apparently the agents selected for
the active work of suppressing illegal
traffic in whisky have been chosen
principally for political reasons, when
it Is necessary to select men for this
work who are worthy of confidence
and Of such stable character that they
would not yield to temptations to
,ol1 hayy
be subjected.
"These appointees, being exempt
from the civil service laws, We're APP
pointed ana removed without the re-
strictions which those laws impose,
and consequently the oficc seems to
have been made che dumping ground
for influential politicians who secured
appointments for their henchneu
without proper regard for the quail
fcaGions of those chosen.
"The testimony shows definitely that
Mr.. John S. Parsons and subject to his
directions, were treated unfairly and
with part;ality. At least, some OF
those agents who connived with people
engaged in illegal whisky traffic en-
joyed the confidence of Mr.. Parsons
and were shown favortism by him.
while in some instances the agents
who exerted themselves 10 enforce the
laws were dismissed or transferred to
their disadvantages.
"In one instance one Of the agents
whom he favored committed q serious
violation of the departmental reguLa-
that he should have been promptly dis
missed, but he was retained and re-
mained in the service at least until the
grand jury investigation now in prog
ress was instituted. Mr.. Parsons and
Mr.. John d. Appleby, divisional chief
OF general agents, stated under oatn
that the facts in this case were COM
municated TO Mr.. Ralph A. Day. Mr..
Appleby further stated that if he had
have suspended the agent referred to
and recommended his dismissal. This
agents brother lent Mx. Day large
amount Of money.
I'm response TO the question as to
why he failed to investigate the con-
duct OF this agent. Mr.. Parsons said;
i don't know, except because | was s.
- fool | guess 1t is considered thu
any man who offers u Yeassu for hayir
neglected to perform his duty that II
WAS - fool is unfit to hold th,
position he occupies.
"1t was Mr.. Days. duty to know wi.a
was going on in the Office under h.
charge. If he did not know he was y
fault. IT he did know he is to blal.
for not having corrected the evils tina
e, existed there; The grand jury is of
the opinion that II genuine effort is
to be made at New York to enforce the
Federal prohibition law 1t is necessary
that the office here be placed In other
hands and intrusted to capable, respor
slble 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 proper authorities and,
therefore, this letter is written as the
result OF the voluntary and unanimous
action OF the grand jury.
1T is not intended that ANYTHING
herein herein contained should be be con-, con-
way upon MIR, Applaby or the tTnitn3
states Attorney for the southern dis
trlct OF New York or the conduct Of
the latter's Office
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