Evening star., 1923-12-26
Police Will Not Abandon Case
Despite Irey's Denial,
He Declares.
DISTRICT ATTORNEY ALSO
WOULD LOCATE ROSTER
Statements and Counter-State.
ments by Wheeler and Stay
ton Fly Fast.

Though a holiday truce prevailed
today in the investigation of the
Capitals bootleg scandal, there was
abundant evidence that further dis
closures were in prospect and that
the trail Of the missing list Of 1.40O
rum customers had not been aban-
loned.
Despite announcement by Elmer
Trey, chief of the intelligence corps
Of the internal revenue bureau. that
the immunity of diplomatic liquor
which the police attempted to seize
had been definitely established, po-
lice officials declared their intention
Of following up that feature of the
case until a more satisfactory ex-
planation has been made.
Commissioner Oyster said he
would ask for a definite ruling on
the extent to which diplomatic i'm
munity carried. He is awaiting a
report, he said, from the internal
revenue bureau. In their raids on the
bootlegging involved the police en-
tered a residence occupied by DR.. V.
Sokolowski. secretary of the Polish
legation, where they say about $780,
900 worth of liquor was located. I'm
munity was granted on DR.. Sokolow-
skis claim.
Mr.. Oyster also announced today that
should the list of customers be neces-
sary to prosecution OF the case, he
would take steps to bring it to light
A similar effort is expected to be made
by the District attorneys office, which
has promised to prosecute those shown
to be liquor purchasers.
Statements Fly Fast.
The list has become the vehicle for
plenty Of publicity for "wet" and dry
forces outside government channels.
Wayne, 3. Wheeler. general counsel
for the Anti-Saloon League. has
issued several statements. and Capt.
w. II. Stayton. head of the Associa-
ton Against the Prohibition. Amend
ment. has done likewise. The latter
wants the list published. but said
nothing relative to prosecution of the
names on it.
See Powerful Arsumentz.
The hint that prominent names on
the list are believed responsible for
this situation, since. if it can be
shown that high officials of the gov
eminent are disregarding the eigh-
teenth amendment by allowing their
names to appear in connection with
Illicit liquor traffic, there's some
chance to WELD powerful arguments
anent the futility of prohibition. And
Mr.. Wheeler, too, wants the list un-
covered, but he wants it uncovered
SO that Uncle Sam may clean hous,
in case 1t can be proved any official
personages have graced the clientele
of the alleged syndicate.
AS for the investigators themselves,
indications were given today that
they regarded the question Of the list
an incidental to be given attention In
case anything crops up which will
lead to 1t, but not as important as
several other angles.
Not SO. however, with bfr. Wheeler
issued by Mr. Wheeler today, which
follows, indicates this:
wheeIer's Latest Statement.
"Since when has it been fanatical
or impractical to enforce the plain
letter of the law?" said Mr.. Wheeler.
'Mr. Stayton, the head OF the Asso-
citation Against the Prohibition
Anne ndment, adds one more to his list
Of attacks on law and order with the
assertion that prosecution of pur-
chasers of booze in violation OF the
law is bothoimpractical and fanatical.
What is the Constitution or the acts
Of Congress or the laws Of any state
among liquor addicts?
"The perfect Christmas day sought
by the prohibition forces with law en-
forced would not see Valf the popula-
ticn Of Washington and the United
States in jail, as Mr.. Stayton believes
but would still further diminish the
Jail, and prison population. Four years
Of prohibition have made decrease in
the ratio of arrests for drunkenness per
100000 population equivalent to 2.000,-
600 fewer arrests since prohibition be-
came law and caused a like decrease
fewer penal commitments in spite of
the opposition Of the Association
Against the Prohibition Amendment
Sober men are not locked up so often
as men crazed or sodden with drink.
"The Man of Galilee is still called a
by Mr.. Stayton's quotation of this one
among many false accusations against
the Christ His church still meets
calumny and lies as 1t strives to save
men from being ruined to enrich brew
ers and distillers.
"Stayton, like Satan. can quote Scrip
ture to suit his purposes, but we are
reminded of Shake5peare's phrase
What damned error, but some sober
CD brow will bless dt and approve it
with a text"