San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-01-26
AGENTS
Of DRYFORCES
FACE CHARGES
Two Suspended and Gen.
eral Shakeup Is
Under Way.
WORK HAD BEEN PROBED
Private Investigator From
Washington Re-
Gently Here.

Charges have been filed against sew
cral general prohibition agents working
in Texas, according to information re-
ceived here from Washington, Friday
morning. The nature of the charges
are closely guarded by the prohibition
bureau officials at Washington and they
have declined to discuss the cases.
1t is understood from a bulletin is
sued ir Washington, that facts are
known TO Commissioner Roy Haynes
upon whom will rest the responsibility
for the final decision. Commissioner
Haynes and his party, consisting oil
Col. l.. G. Mutt, chief of the narcotic
division. Judge James Britt, chief coun-
self or Commissioner Haynes, and
others. will arrive in San Antonio, Fri
day night, on their way back TO the
national capital from a tour OF in
spection of the western and south
western parts of the United States.
Two Are Suspended.
A general shake-up of the prohibition
enforcement organization in Texas is
under way.
Elmer Mcclure and I, J. Bender,
prohibition enforcement officers at
Houston and Linden, respectively, were
suspended from the Texas staff OF
prohibition directors Friday on in
structions from Washington. This an
nouncement was made at state head
quarters, where it was said the suspen-
sions were ordered pending lnyestlga-
ton Of charges against the two officers.
The nature of the charges are not
known here, it was said.
Announcement was also made that
the Offer of assistant state prohibition
enforc8ent officer Of Texas, held by
Bassett Miles had been abolished. No
no reason was given.
It is reported from reliable source
that W. A. NitzleT, chief OF the teld
forces at Dallas, has been transferred
and n man already selected to MI mr.
place. 1t is not known whether the
transfer was made at Mr.. Nltzels re-
quest. .,.,
According to information received
here. an agent, working under the group
head at Houston has been suspended.
The couse of the suspension is not
known in San Antonio.
The shake-up in the prohibition Or
ganization in Texas, Is MT believed 10
be the Outgrowth of the inspection 'orl
by Commissioner HAYNES and his parry,
since the party mas come to Texas
directly from Los Angeles, Cat, where
an investigation of the prohibition and
narcotic in Hollywood was personally
conducted by members of the party.
Haynes will be here Friday night.
Several days ago, an investigator
from Washington was in San Antonio.
At the time he was here, he refused
to either divulge his official title or the
purpose of his visit to Texas. 1t was
indicated from other sources, however,
that he was making an investigation
If the several prohibition agents work
ing out of Dallas. who were here for
several days preceding the appearance
IF the investigator in this city.
Investigate General Agents.
Grouphead Harry Hamilton and the
prohibition agents working under him,
refused to discuss the reorganization
IF the Texas force. asserting that
they were under strict orders not 10 |
make any statements concerning any |
phase Of prohibition work, except that |
part which was of public record.
Preceding the statement from Wash |
ngtOn. rumors were current in the |
federal building among other branches |
" the government, that the field force |
working out of Dallas was under in !
festigation and that the investigation
would probably result in the suspension
,r dismissal Of two or more of the |
general agents.