The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-11-04
CORRUPTION LAID
 ID SPO|LS SYSTEM
Appeal Made To President To Help Reform Federal En-
 foreement System
WASHINGTON BUREAU ]
 THE AGE-HERALD Washington. D. C.. Nov. 3 ]

The National Civil Service Reform League is after the scalps of those men named by the President to en- force prohibition in the several states of the union.
 The National Civil Service Reform League, in a formal letter to the President, asks that he ignore the recommendation of federal authort- ties and the Anti-Saloon League that if state agents are put under civil service, those presently in the field be put under by executive order.
 It is pointed out that such sug- gestion is fathered by a desire that men appointed for political reasons be retained for political reasons. hather than that such course be pursued the National Civil Service Reform League declares to the Presi- dent a preference that the present order of things be indefinitely con- tlnued.
 It Is gathered that if the Presi- dent, pressed by Governor Pinchot and other republican politicians, asks Congress to put the selection or state agents under service, he will not offend members by withholding suggestion that state agents, all ready holding office by action of members of Congress, be eliminated. Although the majority of Congress is prohibition, it is indicated, it is reasonably certain that even were the President to move against eX- isting state agents, Congress would defeat the movement.
 Appeal In Vain.
 The league, in it's letter to the President, declares that when the Volstead act was pending, it asked for the elimination of a section ex- eepting the field service from civil service regulations, but that it's ap- peal to Mir. Volstead and the Anti Saloon League, was in vain. The let ter, in part, continues:
 When Mr. Haynes was appointed commissioner, he reorganized the force. turning out the corrupt demo- cratic officials, who infected 1t, ana putting in equally corrupt republi- can officials on the recommendation of congressman. The scandal Kept growing from month to month, from year to year. The posts of state pro hibition director and enforcement agent were regarded as most profit able positions of patronage. Appoint ments were made on recommends tions of senators and representatives, who, in their turn, acted in accord ance with the demands of local re- publican organizations and leaders, and often the worst men with the strongest political backing secured the places.
 The corruption became so seri- ous that in Rhode Island the entire federal organization was thrown out; in New York the changes were kaleidoscopic, seven different super vising directors succeeding eacn other; in Pennsylvania one director after another were found guilty of conniving with lawbreakers; throughout the country 43 officers of the unit have been convicted (many of whom are in the peniten- tiary) though this number is small compared to the number actually guilty. This degeneration has con- tinued to increase. In July, last, Commissioner Haynes dismissed Is prohibition agents in New York be- cause they were producers. On September 27, the Associated Press announced that the commissioners of the District Of Columbia had urged the summary dismissal of prohibi- ton agents in Washington for brib- cry, illegal raids, robbing houses and other offenses. The report of the Attorney General last month shows that each year has brought an in- crease in prosecution and convictions, 10000 convictions this year more than last and a large number of en- forcement officials were included. Coolidge silent.
 Tt is evident. the violations of the Volstead act. which President Hard ing declared had become a national scandal, must have had their origin to a large extent in the spells sys- tenn, which prevails in the enforce ment bureau, and that they will con tinue so long as that system re- mains"
 The answer of President Coolidge. if prepared, has not been made pub lie.