Evening star., 1922-02-19
WANTS JA|L TERMS
FOR LAWbREAKERS
Oyster Commends Police
War on Handbook Men and
BootIeggers.

Commanding officers of the several
police precincts, displaying unques-
tlonable loyalty to Maj. Daniel Sui
ivan, their new chief, are waging a
relentless campaign against handbook
men and bootleggers Police officials
also make it clear that Investigations
OF other classes Of law violations are
not being neglected.
commissioner James F. Oyster, who
has supervision of the police depart
ment, has expressed himself as being
pleased with what the police have
accomplished since the elevation of
Daniel Sullivan to the Office Of SUPER
intendent. The Commissioner is ex-
tremety anxious that bootleggers and
handbook men should be put out OF
business. He wants speedy trials and
punishment severe enough to de-
moral1ze those engaged in the viola
tons. JAN sentences are advocated
to bring such persons to realization
mean, Commissioner oyster stated.
Need to he Frightened.
1t was believed by the police that
The Stars campaign of publicity in
the matter Of operations of the
|.bookies would have the effect Of driv-
ing most Of such persons out of busi-
ness. The police believe it did effect
number of cures, but they realize
that the "easy-money getters'' will not
surrender without being frightened.
Police say they are practically
powerless to investigate successfully
every case involving the bringing of
liquor into the city. 1t is reported
that hundreds of stills are in opera
ton in nearby states, much OF the
in 10 fpif f.nFr n q
from the northern neck of Virginia
and other sections Of the state.
1t was reported in police circles the
past few days that several we'll Dress
ed women are bringing liquor to this
city from the Old Dominion. that they
are: carrying the corn product in
automobiles. and that it is being dis
definite as to their identity has been
learned by the police. Watch is be-
ing kept on the roads, however. for
men as well as women. and if women
are caught, it is stated, they may ex-
pect the same punishment, that is
meted out to male violators.
Hip Pocket Business.
During the past few days the police
have had to contend with persons al
legged to have done hip pocket pusi
ness. Such persons never carry more
than two or three half-pint bottles
Ol tHe HTeWdleE at d u
1t impossible for the police to capture
large quantities Of liquor from them.
1T seems to be a very small mat
ter to take man into court with
only a half-pint bottle found on him.
remarked a policeman, but it fre-
quently happens that the man with
the small quantity is the one who is
reaping the largest harvest. At any
rate" he added, they always seem
able to furnish a bond in any amount
as soon as they are arrested.
And it costs money to patronize
the professional bondsmen." he con-
cluded. -
Members of the police prohibition
enforcement squads think the local
force of revenue agents should be in
creased or the law changed. 1t is
necessary for revenue agents to be on
hand when arrests and searches are
made, and it Is not always possible
the police say.
Action in Case Delayed.
A federal agent was wanted by the
police yesterday. 1t was reported that
a police agent was on hand, ready to
duplicate a purchase, but delay in
getting a federal agent caused a delay
in completion of the investigation of
the case.
Milton Arthur Chapman, colored, 12s
South Capitol street, alleged to be one
of the hip pocket merchants. was
caught at 10th and B streets, in the
wholesale market. yesterday afternoon,
by members of Capt. Browns first pre-
cinct squad. Chapman. it is charged,
had in his pocket half-pint bottle of
corn liquor, the kind that is being so
freely sold in all parts of the country.
He had sold a bottle of the liquor to
a police agent, it is charged. for $3.50,
believed to be the lowest price charged
by bootleggerS.