Evening star., 1924-01-03
DIPLOMAT RUM BAN
ASKED IN HOUSE IN
BITTER LIQUOR WAR
UpShaW and BIanton Meas
ures Would Gust All u. S.
Officials Who Drink.
EXPEL ENJOYS WHO USE
LIQUOR, LATTER SAYS
Use of Army, Navy and Marines
to Clean Out Dry violators,
Is Asked.

Stirred by sensational deveIon-
ments in the Capitals rum couspiracv
ihVolVlng customer lists" and in
sinuating diplomatic irregula rites.
the dry forces of Congress todav took
the nrst step toward drastic action
not only againt American, but for
eign oftcialdom in this city.
The executive guiIIotine" for
American officials who drink. sharp
investigation of the whole affair and
curtailment of the drinking privi-
ieges of the diplomatic corps are
among the far reaching proposals in
hVe resolutions introduced in the
house by Representative Upshaw.
democrat, Georgia, and Representa-
tive Blanton. democrat. Texas.
At the same time preparations were
under way for mandamus nrocead,nps
before the District Supreme Court 10
morrow morning, when the court will
near the case, in which the United
states commissioner, George H. Mac
pers supporting request for the am
daVlts under which the first two al
Iegeo consp1rators, Fl. c. Lamson and
Milton q. Scarborough, We're arrested
more than a week ago in the Con-
unental Trust building here.
Asks Coolidge Lead Fight.
The righteous crusade" should be
begun by President Coolidge. Mr.. Up-
shaw said, in a prepared speech sup
porting his resolution, in which he
demanded ''the smashing of every
jug and breaking Of every bottle in
official Washington
Representative Blanton's four reso-
Iutlons provided drastic measures to
suppress bootlegging. punish those in
the service of the government who
support or In any way aid violation
or the prohibition amendment, to
cream up the rum scandal. to prevent
Speclal privileges in regard to dip-
iomat1c liquor and to authorize the
use of the military forces of the fed
erai government and several states TO
suppress the unlawful traffic.
One OF Representative Blantons reso-
IutionS caiis attention that the press has
reported the apprehension of organized
Dootieggers in Washington and the dis
covery of a list of patrons many al
cials. ''i-
Asks Probe of Lists.
1t points out that the press now re-
ports the alleged discovery of $4,000
worth of intoxicating liquors stored in
one place IN Washington and the appre-
hension of bootlegging syndicate from
whose possession, the press alleges,
list was taken containing the names of
1,4O0 patrons, including cabinet officers.
senators. representatives in Congress.
ana other men of prominence, which
list is said to have disappeared"
n Ii
concern the whole people" NAV be
known, Representative Blanton pro
poses that the House committee on
alcoholic liquor traffic. which has
been idle and has not held a meeting
for six years" be authorized to in
Vestigate all such reports, to summon
and compel the attendance of wit
nesses and the production of all rec
ords and documents, and to hear all
evidence within the limitations of in
ternational law. The findings of the
committee would be reported to the
House as soon as possible, together
with recommendations.
A House joint resolution would con-
stitute it cause for impeachment OF
any executive officer, member of the
judiciary or of Congress found guilty
Of purchasing intoxicating liquors
from a bootlegger. or of completely
in the liquor traffic. 1t would make it
cause for dishonorable discharge from
the service of any officer or enlisted
man in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps.
or any employe of the government
Of the United States found guilty Of
purchasing liquors from a bootlegger
or having any part in liquor traffic.
Cites Military Oath.
Representative Blanton bases this
resolution on the fact that every ex
ecutive officer, member of the ju-
dietary of the Senate or House of
Representatives and all officers and
enlisted men in the Army, Navy and
Marine Corps and other employees OF
the government, have taken the oath
that they will support and defend
the Constitution, which provides that
"the manufacture, sale or transporta-
ton of Intoxicating liquors within or
the Importation thereof into the
United States for beverage purposes
is hereby prohibited"
In another joint resolution, Repre-
sentative Blanton seeks to have Con-
eress prohibit officials of the United
States from issuing permits to any
diplomatic representative, secretary
of embassy or legation. counselor of
embassy or legation, military, naval
or commercial attache, consul, agent.
commissioner or special envoy of
any foreign country accredited to and
residing in the United States thai
would authorize any one of these
or any member of their official fam
lily to import into this country, trans
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