Evening star., 1923-10-03
v|ND|CAT|ON ONLY
AIM OF DRY AGENTS
Counter Charges Against
D. C. Police Not Likely, Says
inquiry Official.

Counter charges against members
of the metropolitan police depart
ment in the war between the District
authorities and prohibition enforce
n,cn, agents are not co ,ttintiated by
officials of the special intelligence
unit of the internal revenue bureau.
tt was stated at the Treasury De-
partment today.
Our Investigation" said w. II.
Woolf, assistant chief in charge OF
the unit, lis TO determine whether or
not the charges of certain policemen
against certain enforcement agents
are true. II we find they were
groundless ] think we shall let the
matter drop there. yindication is all
we want Should, however, the
charges be substantiated the usual
action will be taken"
Out Seeking Evidence.
Two special agents OF the unit were
out this morning interviewing VIII
nesses concerning the complaints
made by members of the District po-
lice force against Prohibition Agents
Ralph Ruby. e. II. Packard and
George Fowler. 1t was explained that
the Ble0lllS " 90 ~
behind closed doors. was merely
gathering OF the investigators with
their Immediate chiefs to determine
the line the investigation should hrst
further steps. however. are expect
ed when Elmer l.. Trey, chief OF the
special intelligence unit, returns IRON
New York. While the probe up to
this point is something more than
'perfunctory. Il was intimated that tne
matter would be pushed with more
Iaggressiveness when Mr.. Trey reaches
the city and takes personal charge
He Is due here tomorrow.
Haynes Is Interested.
That Prohibition Commissioner
Haynes is taking an active part In
the Investigation was intimated by
officials Of the unit. II was pointed
out that the commissioner would
naturally be affected by any charge
laid against a member Of his depart
ment. Neither the commissioner nor
Acting Commissioner Jones could De
reached this morning. however. The
latter was away from his office all
morning attending conrerence
While the special unit will not lodge
counter charges against members OF
the police department as bureau. IL
was pointed out that the officers in
charge probably will not try to pre-
vent the accused agents seeking Tetl-
button II they are vindicated. Any
accusation. however, must be made
under oath by its author. accom- =
panied by reasonable proof OF its au-
thenticity.
Confer Again Tomorrow.
Another conference between the in
vestigators and officers of the special
unit will be held in the Office of Mr.
Trey tomorrow morning. At that time
Il is expected that the investigators
will submit to their chief testimony
they already have taken from wit
nesses. the first Of whom were Lieut.
10. T. Davis and Sergt. James McQuade
heads Of the vice squad of the metro
politan police department. with whom
the accused enforcement agents
worked on raids.
The specific charges allege that per.
sonal property disappeared in several
instances from the homes of persons
who had been raided.s 1t is also al.
legged that suggestions were made tina,
it might be well to let certain parties
do away with quantities of conf1scated
liquors. The liquor in question. 1t ID
assumed, would have been sold by
other parties who enjoyed some form
Of protection"