Evening star., 1923-12-31
DRY MEN QUESTION
6 D. c. DETECTIVES
ON BOOTLEG LIST
Two Refuse to Explain or Tell
Whether They Are
Liquor Users.
ONE STOUTLY REFUSES
TO BE "STOOL PIGEON"
Another Says He Does Not Drink
Some Claim Paper Is Part
of "Frame-Up."

Six headquarters detectives have
been brought into the local rum syn
dicate investigation. it was learned
today, when it was discovered thai
Saturday afternoon special intelli-
gence agents of the Treasury Depart
ment interviewed them at the Treas
ury building in an effort to find out
why their names appeared on one oc
the lists In their possession
1t is understood that the names of
these men are on the list of twenty
one found on the person of one of the
men arrested in the conspiracy case
on December 21. In checking IN thic
list the special intelligence operator
ran across this group of names, snug
eIed down beside some other fairiy
prominent names.
Refuses to Talk
Saturday afternoon the question
ing of the headquarters detectives
started. One of the men was asked
to furnish information concerning
some Of his colleagues. He told the
investigators very politely that he
was a detective and not stool
pigeon" and invited them to go some
where else to look for their informa-
tion
Another was asked to make an affi-
davit concerning his habits and So
briefly. He refused fatty to do So
informing them that he was not there
to be insuited and would take no in
suits from them.
Denies Using Liquor.
Still anothar did not hesitate about
signing an affidavit relative to his
use of intoxicating liquor. The atfi-
davlt stated he had no use for such.
All OF the men whose names are
made records for themselves in their
respective lines Of work and are held
in the highest regard by their SUI
periors.
Officials at the special agents head
quarters ir~the Treasury Department
would not discuss the case. Elmer
Trey, chief of the special intelligence
unit, refused either to affirm or deny
anything relative to the interviews
Saturday.
Oyster is Silent.
When asked regarding this, Com
missioner Oyster said. You're bring
ing news TO me-" He would not dis
cusS it.
Detectives We're looking up at
torneys this morning to put the eases
up before them, they said
Possibilities that the list OF twenty
one is a frame-up' list, made up by
oootieggers, were being discussed in
ofncial quarters today. 1t was admitted
that 1t would be an easy thing for boot
leggers to frame up list of their enc
mics, so that if they were ever raided
this list would be found. indicating
were connected either as patrons or
ADVISERS with the bootleggers.
New Laws Likely.
Legislation specifically covering
diplomatic immunity so as to prevent
employees of foreign embassies and
legations from trafficking in liquors in
the United States when American
citizens are forbidden to engage in
similar business is likely to be given
serious consideration by the judiciary
committee as a result of the rum
scandal in Washington, which in
cluded the discovery of $780, 900 worth
OF liquor claimed by an employe of
the Polish legation.
Representative Davis of Tennessee
democrat, has written on the subject
to Secretary Hughes and to D. IL
Blair, commissioner of internal reye-
nue., and while he has not received
reply from Secretary Hughes. has
an answer from Commissioner Blair
whose Interpretation of diplomatic
immunity as regards liquors comedies
with that of Representative Davis
Commissioner Blair explained that DR.
VencesaS Sokolowski, secretary of the
Polish legation, was registered with the
State Department as an accredited MEM
ber of the Polish legation, thus being
entitled to immunity. The commission
er further advised Representative Davis
that nothing contained in the diplomatic
liquor privilege granted by the internal
revenue service as result of com
munication from the Secretary of State
authorizes the sale, gift or other dis
tribution of diplomatic liquors for bev-
erage purposes, the rights and privileges
of the representatives of foreign coun-
tries in this respect being confined to
their families and bona fde guests"
No Rights of Sale.
Representative Davis emphasizes
that the Volstead act itself nowhere
grants any immunity to representa-
tives of foreign governments. but that
the immunity is based on old statutes
which had no reference whatever to
the liquor question. He says that Con-
gress in passing the prohibition
amendment and the American people
in ratifying it through their state
lowing foreigners to engage in boot
Logging in this. country with immuni-
ty while American citizens We're for
hidden to do so by law.
In his letter to Commissioner Blair
Representative Davis said:
Il shall appreciate 1t If you will
advise me under what provision of
law or treaty the so-cailed diplomatic
immunity is extended to Intoxicating
liquors imported, transported or
possessed by foreign diplomatic
representatives or employees: and also
as to whether or not. under your in
terpretation, such immunity applies
in case Intoxicating liquors thus i'm
ported, transported or possessed by
foreign diplomatic representatives CT
employees, is being sold by them or
their agents or is being transported
from diplomatic premises to places
other than diplomatic premises.
II shall also appreciate 1t liz you
will advise me as to whether or not
it is the policy of your department
to extend such diplomatic immunity
to all of the employees and servants
of foreign diplomatic representatives
If not, please advise me just what
representatives are protected under
your Interpretation and practice"
Reply of Blair.
. Commissioner Blair in his reply
said:
II acknowledge receipt Of your let
ter of December 26 requesting infor
nation as to the law, regulations and
procedure in the allowance of what
are called diplomatic liquors to am
bassadors, ministers and other rep
resentatives of foreign countries and
their attaches. clerks. employees and
Continued on Page 4. Column 81