The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-06-28

Asks Explanation Of Seizure
Stories, and Orders Talk by
Dry Unit to Cease.
BY w. II. ATKINS,
international News Service.

AAASOAAAeSsANk1A-AA
Aroused by the publication Of
unauthorized statements that the
Government conte plated the
seizure OF fore hips carrying
liquor into American ports, Act
ing Secretary of the Treasury
S. p. Gilbert today called upon
Prohibition Commissioner Roy A.
Haynes to explain why these
false reports had been circulated
and announced fatty that no
change was planned in the pres
emit policy Of the Treasury de-
partment in enforcing the dry
ship regulations
Haynes Is MuzzIed.
Secretary Gilbert told Interna-
tional News Service that he de-
p1ored the publicity given by other
press associations and newspapers
to wholly unauthorized" stories in
dicating that the Government was
about to depart from its policy OF
only selling the liquor on incOm-
ing freign ships.
These reports, which were not
carried by International News Serv-
ice, were originated by prohibition
officials, it was stated, who had
also gone so far as to draft reguia-
tons to carry out their views with
out consulting their superiors in the
Treasury Department.
When Commissioner Haynes was
called to Secretary Gilbert's office
today to explain his part in the
transaction, he was given orders
to make no further announcements
concerning the Governments policy
in the international ship liquor con-
troversy without getting permission
from the Treasury's administrative
officials.
Acting Secretary Gilbert and other
high officials of the Treasury De-
partment said today that they de-
plored the publicity given to
wholly unauthorized" stories indi-
eating that the Government con-
templated a change in its policy
toward ships which bring liquor into
American ports.
MuzzIe on Haynes.
It was explained that these re-
ports were originated by prohibi-
ton officials, and that as a result
OF their publication, orders had been
issued to Prohibition Commissioner
Haynes to make no further an
nouncements concerning the Treas
ury's ship liquor policy without OBJ
tanning the permission of his SUI
periors.
''These wild stories are the re-
suit of hysteria among minor en-
forcement officers" one high off.
cial of the Treasury Department de-
clared, "but the public may rest
assured that we are going to keep
our shirts on while this liquor
problem is being adjusted, and we
do not propose to be embroiled in
any international controversies in
the meantime"
Published reports that the Treas
ury Department was drafting new
regulations providing for a change
in it's three-m liquor enforcement
problem were likewise denied, and it
was stated that the Prohibition Blu
reau's plans to seize foreign ships
and arrest the commanders had
been made public without any con-
ferences between Acting Secretary
Gilbert or Assistant Secretary Moss,
in charge OF prohibition matters.
Conferred With Hughes.
Secretary of State Hughes was
besieged with inquiries from diplo-
mats OF countries whose ships
would be affected by such action.
His responses to such questions
were that the Government has
made no decision beyond rhe pend
ing order to seize liquors which are
brought in above a quantity re-
Huired for medicinal use.
Secretary Hughes previously had
conferred with Acting Secretary of
the Treasury Gilbert. Gilbert in.
formed Hughes the Treasury had
not altered the policy of Secretary
(ContiA%ed on Page 2, Column 81