New Britain herald., 1925-09-18
MELLON FA|LUREIN
 PROHIBITION DRIVE
Called Disappointment" in Re. view by Council of Churches

Washington. Sept, ls Pe--A hope that the recent prohibition reorgani- zation may end an enforcement regime which has left very much to be desired" was expressed last night by the Research and Education De- partment of the Federal Council Of Churches in a comprehensive review of dry law enforcement
 The resume, which was q part Of the departments special report on the social consequences of prohibi- ton, declared among other things that after making all due allowances for the difficulty of the task, 1t was impossible to avoid the conclusion that prohibition enforcement "un- der the Bureau of Internal Revenue has, until recently, been undertaken with much less seriousness than the situation demanded"
 It was asserted also that the pro- hibition unit "has undoubtedly gwen the impression of q propaganda hu- reau, ard this impression has cost 1t something in respect and coopera- ton that "a certain demorali2aloh of the prohibition work of the JUS tfce department has arisen from va yious complications, and that Secre- tary Mellon, who "has never been prohibitionist." has failed to give to the prohibition Endorsement cause the same kind of leadership he mas contributed to the conduct of other official duties,
 Political Patronage Cited
 in addition, prohibition agents like other government employees were said to be underpaid and con xressional appropriations "delln' ouent' while a still further com plication was presented by the dis nosition in congress and elsewhere to regard prohibition appointment as political patronage
 President Wilson was opposed tc The yolstead act and was unable tc give attention to its enforcement the report continued, and Presiden' Harding encouraged a hands off policy on the part of responslpl' treasury officials, so that Tit has re mained for the present ndmlnistra ton to develop q strong policy whlct however tardy 1t may be, inspires new hope"
 After pointing out that Secretar' Mellon "has until recently held dls tillery properties" and that as hnancier he has been absorbed prl t1arily in business questions. the re port declares he "has seriously dis appointed the friends of prohibition by failing to develop a vigorous pol lev and to assume responsibility for it.
 Lack of Leadership
 "There has been no indication that the responsible administratio officers of the government have glV en the requirements of more efec five prohibition enforcement any fbing like adequate attention,' tn report continued. "All along tn line the history of. enforcement d,' closes lack of leadership and cor viction in places where they Wonl have been most effective.
 "Ths picture has now, hoWeve been relieved by the toning up or th rolicy of the government with refcl ence 10 the national prohibition at through the appointment of Gener; Lincoln C. Andrews as assistant sec retary of the treasury, carrying r' sponsibility for supervising the cu' toms. the coast guard, and the pro hibition unit. No final Jndgmc' can be pronounced on the enforce ment situation until the new polio has been fairly tried. Certainly 1T Initial effect of the change has he' wholesome. It should be said aI' that the new regime has the full al proval and support of the secretal of the treasury and the commisslol CT of internal revenue. Witho such approval the plan could n have been put into effect.
 "It seems safe to predict that the efforts of the federal governme dn not meet with a COnsiderah