Evening star., 1923-09-30
POLICE EXPOSURE
BY DRY" OFFICIALS
THREAT IN ''FEUD"
Sweeping Counter Charges
Promised After Suspension
of Three Agents.
OYSTER AND HAYNES IN
DISCUSSIONS SINCE MAY
Real Story Yet to Be Broken, and
City Will Be Surprised"
Says Inside Observer.

Predictions that sweeping counter
charges against police cooperating
in the enforcement of prohibition
would be made during the investiga-
tion by the special intelligence unit
Of the internal revenue force into
complaints filed by Commissioner
Oyster against three prohibition
agents. was made last night by per-
sons close to the prohibition enforce
ment administration.
During next week, with the filing
OF such charges, it is expected the
smoldering disagreement between the
prohibition unit and the police depart
ment Will come to a head.
1t~was learned yesterday that since
last May Commissioner Oyster has
been in communication with Prohibi-
tion Commissioner Haynes regarding
the lack of cooperation in the en-
forcement of the prohibition law in
Washington. At that time arrange
ments for the Shrine convention were
being made. and the District Com
missioner called upon Commissioner
Haynes for betterment of conditions
Exchange of "views.,
From that time to the present there
has been constant. but unsatisfac-
tory interchange of ideas between
Mr.. Oyster and Mr.. Haynes Several
times Commissioner Oyster has called
the attention of the prohibition unit
to certain procedure in the enforcement
or prohibition in the District of Co.
lumbia- Results We're not as ex-
pected.
change, which lasted for months.
came during the last week, when
Commissioner Otter presented cer-
tain demands upon Commissioner
Haynes, handing over complaints
supported, by copies of afiidavits and
naming a time limit for action.
Had Prohibition Commissioner Haynes
not come forward with the announce
ment of an investigation last Friday,
the statement was made, the data in
the hands of Commissioned Oyster
would have been made public.
A number of conferences were held
Friday week ago marked the final
Cne. At this conference representa-
tives of the police department. and
representatives of the prohibition
unit were present to hear the story
which Lieut.. Davis, in charge of the
vice squad, had to tell. Two notaries
public were there to handle the
affidavit making. Then came another
hiatus
Haynes Announces Probe.
The time limit would have expired
last Friday night. In the afternoon,
however, Commissioner Haynes came
forward with the statement that he
had started a searching inquiry, and
later he amplified this statement by
another announcing the special intel
ligence unit of the internal revenue
bureau as the investigating body.
Supporting the reports that counter
charges of a serious and spectacular
nature are in the air was the request
of Commissioner Haynes to Commits
sioner Oyster to conduct a Joint in
vestigation into both the police and
prohibition unit enforcement of the
dry law in the District.
Commissioner Oyster admitted the
foregoing yesterday. When asked
what action he had taken upon this
request he said he turned it down
definitely.
The agreement which was finally
reached between Commissioners
Haynes and oyster was to the effect
that in case there were charges
against the police, they were to be
put in writing and forwarded to the
District Commissioner for such action
as he might deem fit under the prem
ises. This was definitely stated in
the official statement of Commission
er Haynes Friday.
Surprise Is Promised.
"The real story hasn't broken yet"
declared one man in close touch with
the situation last night. Wait q
while and you'll see the town sit up
in surprise" He referred to counter
charges against the police
Notification that prohibition agents
Ralph Ruby, Clark H. Packard and
George Fowler were relieved from
official operations in the District of
Columbia were rendered to these men
yesterday when they returned to the
office after breaking UP 1,000-gallon
still found at 7th street and Mary
land avenue, in full operation block
south of prohibition headquarters.
The men will continue on full pay
pending the investigation of the spe-
cial intelligence unit of the internal
revenue bureau into charges of ir-
regularity of procedure and: malfeas-.
ance OF office, filed by Commissioner
Oyster, based on reports made by the
police ''vice squad" it was learned
last night. They retain their equip
ment and badges and will report at
headquarters daily,
The letter handed to each agent
reads as follows:
Effective Immediately. you are re-.
lieved from duty in the District OF
Columbia until further notice and will
hold yourself available for examina-
ton and interview by agent of the
special intelligence unit"
E. c. Yellowly signed the notice s
chief of the general prohibition agents.
but IL was forwarded to each OF the
men through Acting Divisional Chief
Harry Luckett. Notation by indorse-