Evening star., 1924-12-02
B00TLEGF|GURES
TOPIC OF COMMENT
U. S. Attorney Hart's State.
ment Brings Challenge and
an Explanation.

Estimating bootleggers in the Dis
trict for newspaper and estimating
their number for temperance or
sanitation are two distinct and sepa-
rate propositions.
Recently there appeared in The Star
an interview with Assistant United
States Attorney David A. Hart, in
which Mr.. Hart was quoted as saying
that according to his estimate there
were 5000 bootleggers in the Ma
tIonal Capital. This figure was given
by Mr.. Hart after a calculation made
from examination of the dockets of
those tried for prohibition violations
III the past four years, during
which time the assistant attorney has
been officially engaged as prosecutor
Some time later Mr.. Hart received
letter from Wayne B Wheeler, gen
eral counsel of the Anti-Saloon
League of America, asking him IL his
statement appearing in the newspa-
ners was accurate. Whereupon MIR.
Hart wrote Mr.. Wheeler letter de-
'ying that he ever made such state
ment and referred to the printed
statement as merely a newspaper
yarn
Wheeler Asks Correction.
Today The Star received a COM
T.
ring to Mr.. Hart's letter and asking
that a correction be made of its for
mer story, asking for such publica-
1ion lin the name of fair play"
This communication was Immediately
taken to Mr.. Hart. who admitted writ
ing to Mr.. Wheeler and denying The
Stars story. II felt that I had to do
this" Mr.. Hart stated. because it might
get the district attorneys Office in a
Jam. Your story was correct, however,
IS l told you the day after it was pub
lished. I still say that I estimate that
there are 5000 bootleggers in Washing
ton. and really believe more than that.
couldn't say that to Mr.. Wheeler, for
1t might reflect discredit upon my Of
fee"
Maj. Peyton Gordon. United States
attorney, when informed of the matter,
stated: Il cnanot see whether Mr.. Hart
said that there were 5000 bootleggers
or goo murders in Washington that it
would reflect upon this office in any
way. Our business is to prosecute the
cases brought in, and that is our only
duty. l knew nothing of the affair eX-
Cept that Mr.. Hart had written a letter
TO Mr.. Wheeler denying the newspaper
article"
Text of Communication.
The Star is as follows:
'CnpuniShed bootleggers. released
by the courts. have been repeatedly
arrested. swelling the apparent total
of prohibition violators." said Wayne
+. Wheeler, LII D.. general counsel
of the Anti-saloon League of America,
commenting on the statement mis-
Iakenly credited to Assistant United
States District Attorney David A.
Hart that there were 5000 bootleg
Iers operating in the District of
Columbia.
Mr.. Hart in a letter to me says:
'NhiS statement y was not made
hy the undersigned. In a casual con-
Eersation information was sought
from me as to the number of cases
which, in my opinion. had actually
come into the Police Court since the
national prohibition act went into
effect and l estimated there were
ahout 10000 in all. l further esti-
mated that about 5000 of these cases
ropresented either pleas. of guilty or
convictions and the balance possibly
GiSmiSsalS or acquittals.'
Charges Figures Too High.
Washington never had 5000 boot
j@cgers. In, the five years of National
prohibition, according to Mr.. Hart,
thcre were about 10000 cases of vio-
lation of the prohibition law. This
does not mean even 1000 bootleggers
Ter year, for many bootleggers were
arrested repeatedly, some of them as
many as dozen times. A small pen
alty or a light fine turned them loose
10 continue their lawlessness, be
caught again, pay another fine and
thus continue what will become an
endless chain if jail sentences are not
imposed.
still more astounding is the fact
that many were allowed to forfeit
small collateral and then escape trial
Washington will have too many boot
leggerS so long as any are here, but
~ is a slander on the Nations Capital
TO charge 5000 of it's residents with
laWleSS acts"