San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-03-27
SAYS BALDWIN
SHOULD OBEY
LIQUOR LAW.
Hartman Says Federal Coy
eminent Will Not B;
Party to Violation.
HAVE EVADED LAW
Washington Ruling Orders
All Evidence Be
Turned Over.

Ranger Capt. B. c. Baldwin should
at least be willing to obey if not en-
force the state liquor laws. according
to United States District Attorney
John d. Hartman in a formal state
ment issued Thursday morning. This
is the first statement that has been
issued by Mr.. Hartman since federal
| officers have adopted the policy of
refusing TO accept cases from the state
rangers unless all of the evidence was
turned in TO them. The federal dis
trict attorneys office will not assist
any one in violating either the state.
or federal liquor laws, the statement
says.
The statement issued by District
Attorney Hartman is as follows:
The federal district attorneys Of
flee always has co-operated and will
continue to cooperate with state au-
thorities in the enforcement of both
federal and state liquor laws. 1t viii
in Violating either. 1t is not in the
least interested in political propa-.
ganda.
"A certain state ranger. by his pub-
lie utterance and otherwise has fufiy
demonstrated his unwillingness to co..
operate with either the state or fed
eral authorities.
A Legal Triumvirate. =
at seems that he assumes the ex-
allied position of peace officer, prosecu-
tor and judge. He should at LEAST
be willing to obey if not enforce the
state liquor laws" .
Mr.. Hartman refused TO amplify or
,ssNt,, h.. L.
explaining tSat he would not be q
party to. controversy with pub
licty seeker"
The statement by Ranger Captain.
Baldwin in a telegram which was
purported 10 have been sent by him
TO Prohibition Commissioner Roy
Haynes rhat Grouphead j. II. Mckay
told him that he would refuse TO ac-
cept liquor cases from the rangers I'M
less all evidence was turned over 10
the federal agents pursuant TO in-
structions by Mr.. Hartman. was de-
MED by federal officials Thursday
mOrninr,
The demand by Grouphead Mckay
for all the evidence in every case
made by state officers was based upon
an order from Washington. it was re-
vealed Wednesday afternoon in
statement from Frank Cole. state pro-
hibitiOn enforcement director at Aus
tin. The order was issued for the
purpose of discouraging dual prosecu-
ton of liquor cases as il has been
done in some places.
None of His Business.
Grouphead Mckay denied that ne
had told the ranger captain that he
would not accept the case against
III. ID. Hardy unless all evidence was
turned over TO the prohibition office
because of instructions issued by Dis
trict Attorney Hartman. Although Mr..
Mckay refused to diyulge the nature
Of the conversation between him and
the ranger captain with reference TO
the case, those present during the
telephone conversation between Me-
Kay and Baldwin stated he did not
say that he was acting under instruc-
tions from Hartman. As matter of
fact, il is reported, he told the ranger
captain that the source of the federal
agents orders was no concern OF his.
Hardy. who had been arrested byr
the rangers on liquor charge, was
released from custody following hear
ing on a writ of habeas corpus ;it
the 9th District Court Wednesday
afternoon. The rangers were not press
ent in the court TO press the charge.
Must Account for Liquor.
The attitude of the federal goverl-
ment towards the state rangers with
regard TO the Dean act. 1t is believed
will place the state officers in such 4
position that they will be compelled
TO account for all liquor seized by
them. Under the Dean act, a report
in triplicate must be made and filed
with the county clerk. All liquor is
supposed to be turned ever to the
sheriffs office and he is held respous
sibe for it. -
This evasion of the Dean act has
been possible. heretofore. by turning
the cases over to the federal govern.
ment and making affidavit of the
amount of liquor destroyed. As rule
only enough for evidence was turned
over TO the federal officers.