The Washington times., 1923-09-27
AIM
MADE BY
Y
FORGE
Commissioner Haynes Hears
Grave Charges and Threat
Of Further Action.

President Coolidge may be
asked to act in the gravest scam
dal vet unearthed IN the Federal
prohibition unit.
This startling possibility BE-
came known today, while the Dis
trict Commissioners awaited from
Federal Prohibition Commissioners
Roy a. Haynes bis reply To their
ultimatum, demanding immediate
disluissal of 1T least six prohibit
ton enforcement officials and
agents Of the Washington office.
Graft = Charged.
Enforcement Of the dry law III
this city IS practically at q stand
stu today. The bitter enmity which
Tor several months past has sraOuI-
dered between the police vice squad
and the dry agents force has
famed into hatred as result of
the Commissioners revelations 0f
alleged graft and 1ooting BY pro.
hibiti0n agents IL Washington
The COnuissi0n action means
IS given its most extensive shake
up, the poles department VIII en-
force the dry law here independent
" Of the Federal authorities
p. e. YellOWley, CHIEF OF general
prohibition agents, was called back
to Washington today to open the ii.
Vestigation Of the washington dry
office. Several men attached to the
local office were called to Yellow
ley's office for questioning regard
Ing the city heads allegations.
Commissioner Oyster was today
visited by an attorney from the law
division Of the Federal prohibition
office who Is said to have brought
news OF the inquiry started today.
Commissioner Haynes withhold
official comment on the entire sit
uation. It was learned, howevef,
Ihat ne will have his answer ready
TOT the Commissioners within the
stipulated forty-eight hours.
Because of the extreme gravity
Of the evidence laid before the
COMMISSIONS and Police Depart.
nent heads by Lieut.. o. 4. Davis
and Sergt. James T.. Mc0uade. of
the vice squad, at closed con
ference Friday afternoon, It is be-
heved both In the District building
and at dry headquarters that Com
missioner Haynes answer win be
very general, and that q detailed
investigation, probably taking up
several weeks, may ensue
The Commissioners, however, are
satisfied that the evidence given
them bristles with important facts
and are demanding immediate
action.
On account of this situation, it is
very probable that Internal Rev.
enue Bureau chiefs win go higher
to bring the police-dry unit war to
definite elimination. According to
persons informed as TO the work
Gves OF the Internal Revenue Blu
rean'e special intelligence service
arc now working on the case.
Cooperation Is Needed.
Unless . satisfactory answer il
made to the Commissioners de.
mands, IL is very likely that the De
partment Of Justice win be asked
to take action, and even the Whit
House may eventually be drawn fnS1
the strife.
The present crisis In prOhibitio
enforcement in Washington is TIL
outcome OF similar charges mad
several months ago by the vice squa
against prohibition agents, many
whom are involved mi the curren
probe.
Should the police department
withdraw its support from the
Federal authorities in enforcing the
dry law in Washington, It was
pointed out today that the District
prohibition office will be practically
useless. Within the city limits, II
is necessary that prohibition agents
be accompanied by members Of the
police department,