Evening star., 1924-12-15
j. s. LETS. JERSEY
HANDLE. DRY CASE
Justice Department Notifies
Special Prosecutor in
WeehaWken Scandal.

The Department of Justice. having
full faith and confidence" in Special
Prosecutor Vickers, will leave prose-
cution Of the Weehawken, \. j.,
liquor scandal in his hands unless
new evidence indicating other Federal
law violation is furnished
Announcement of the departments
policy with respect to the New Jersey
situation was made today by Mrs.
Mabel Walker Willebrandt. assistant
attorney general who made public a
telegram sent to United States At
torney Whine for New Jersey in
which she instructed him that the
Federal Government will usurp no
prosecution apparently proceeding
vigorously under State laws.
UEitcd States Attorney to Act.
The telegram contained orders to
Mr.. Whine that Assistant United
States Attorney Van Ripper should
not lie allowed to handle this case. -
Whine was told that either of his
assistants, Besson or Plummer, were
TO handle prohibition cases but not
Van Riper.'
The development today followed
previous announcements that the Gov
rrnment would leave the case. involv-
ing liquor smuggling, in the hands
OF local authorities. and reports that
despite this New Jersey Federal au-
thorities were to enter into il. There
was no explanations of the reference
to Van Riper.
Text of Telegram.
Mrs Withdrawals telegram to
Whine said:
"At a conference with this depart
ment about a year ago relative to
prohibition conditions In your district
It was distinctly understood that pro-
hibition cases were TO be handled by
YOUR assistants Besson or Plummer
and not Van Ripper. In spite Of an
Touncements from this department
that We will not usurp a prosecution
apparently proceeding vigorously by
State authorities, the press announces
that Van Ripper is to present evidence
in the Weehawken case to the teuei AT
grand jury.
IF the only evidence in your posses
son is what the State is acting on
go not present 1t TO the Federal grand
jury until the State is given time 70
act. If any different evidence fndi-
cating violations of Federal laws is
furnished you. Immediately notify this
department, but Van Ripper must not
handle this case.
Mrs. Willebrandt said her act in
making public the telegram to Mr.. Whine
was with the approval OF Attorney Cen
eral Stone. She a.sc made a brief state
ment as follows:
Has Confidence In yickers.
This department has confidence in
George T. Eickers, the special Trosecu-
tor appointed by local authorities to
handle the weehawken liquor cases in
the State courts. New Jersey has a
State law In all respects similar 10 the
Federal prohibition act.
1T has been the effort Of this de-
partmcnt TO stimulate greater enforce
msnt Of State laws. as the Federal Gov
eminent cannot possibly carry all OF the
] td. We, therefore. app aud the ac-
ttvity OF the Weehawkeu officials in 60
ing into these cases.
This department stands ready and
willing 10 extend to Mr.. Fickers
every assistance necessary. In fact.
We have made such offer to Mr..
vrckers, requesting him carefully to
Rnalyze the evidence and if in his
opinion better prosecution can be had
in the Federal courts than in the
State tribunals. to advise us and we
will take such steps as may be nee
essary.
Speaks of Men Higher Up.''
THE Federal government is not so
policemen as IL is III bringing to jus
tice the men higher up VINO reap the
financial benefits and make such a
system of graft possible.
81 know it is not the policy of the
Department OF Justice to announce to
the public its Intentions with respect
to Investigations it intends in any
certain case, but since there has been
so much comment on this New Jersey
&c foir IN ~ Aa%
opportunity will be missed to make
the very most of such evidence as
has been uncovered. with view to
fully cooperating with Special Pros
"cutor Vikers and bringing the high
er-ups in this situation to early
trial.
WILL DISCUSS SCHOOLS.