Evening star., 1925-06-16
POLICE VICE SQUAD
ABOLISHED AS NEW
WAR ON RUM OPENS
Action Is Viewed as First
Step in Jennings Plan to
Dry Up Capital.
OFFICIAL KEEPS SILENT
ON DETAILS OF CAMPAIGN
Burlingame Promoted to Captain,
May Have Charge of
Crusade.

In the wake of Commissioner Fen
nigs new and mysterious drive
launched yesterday in an effort 10
break up the Capitals rum trade,
through the use of new enforcement
methods, came the announcement to-
day of the complete dissolution of the
Police Departments famous vice
squad" which has been in the past
the main aggressor here in the de-
partment's rum war"
This drastic abolishment Of previous
methods of enforcement is the first
concrete evidence of Commissioner
Jennings new crusade, it is under
stood.
Just what organization the Commits
sioner expects to build up to replace
the vice squad is not known because
of the secrecy with which he has
shrouded his campaign.
Burlingame Promoted.
At the same time it became known
that Lieut. Guy Burlingame would be
promoted to captain of the eleventh
precinct, which guards some of the
principal highways. said to be used
by rum runners coming into the Dis
trict.
The vice squad under the special
order issued today will cease TO func-
ton as such at o'clock Wednesday
morning. Lieut., o. T. Davis, head of
the squad, at that time will be trans
fered from the Second to the Seventh
precinct; Sergt. j. D. McQuade, from
the Second to the Ninth precinct;
Sergt. S. J. Harry, Ninth. goes on duty
as acting lieutenant at the Sixth pre-
cinct; Lieut.. c. H. Bren1nerman, from
the Seventh precinct to be midnight
inspector of the first district; Pre-
cinct Detectives \. o. Holmes, from
special duty with the vice squad to
the Second precinct, and pvts. 7. NJ. c.
Wilson and J. 1. Hicks. the former at
the Second and the latter al the Fifth,
will exchange precincts.
Silent on Details.
Although police records failed to
disclose any unusual activity against
liquor law vioIators, Commissioner
Fenning announced graphically today
that his secret liquor war was actively
under way"
Commissioner Fenning continued to
maintain strict silence regarding de-
tails of his dry crusade, but he made
it plain that 1t would be unlike any
other similar drive conducted here, in
that it would be absolutely devoid of
the spectacular"
The Commissioner intimated that
the familiar raids on bootlegging
establishments, night resorts and
other places that have marked cam
paigns in the past would be lacking
in the war" now started.
Proof Is Indicated.
1t was indicated, however, that the
public might see some concrete re-
suits of the drive before long. Just
what the results would constitute he
refused to divulge.
The Commissioner reiterated that
his plan revolved around the theory
that interruption Of the supply auto
matically will serve to plunge Wash
ington into liquor drought. 1t was
assumed, therefore. he would center
the offensive of the municipal dry
forces on the rum runner.
An impregnable blockade may al
ready have been set up around the
boundaries of the District, with mys-
terious sentinels on the alert for in
coming loads of Gavin" gin and other
intoxicants. If such a Gordon exists
Commissioner Fenning discreetly re-
fuses to admit it.
All he will say for publication Is
that he Is determined to make Wash
| ington dry. and that how he does it is
| nobody's concern but his own and the
I Police Departments. He left no doubt
! in the minds of reporters as to his con-
| fidence in the ultimate success OF the
drive.
Expects Full Support.
Apparently the new Commissioner
has taken no one into his confidence
except police officials. 1t is understood
he did not even consult with his fellow
\ commissioners before starting his dry
war. He refused today TO state
whether or not he has asked formally
| for the cooperation Of the Federal
| prohibition authorities, passing on q
| question to this effect with the gen
| eral statement:
| "I shall expect TO get the whole
hearted cooperation of all Govern
ment authorities.
Want More Room.
| An effort to secure two rooms in
the District Supreme Court Building
for the purpose of clearing up the
congestion of the prohibition cases
now pending is being made today by
Mai. Peyton Gordon, United States
attorney, and the Police Court Judges,
Judge Gus A. Schuldt announced.
| IL these rooms are secured, and this
is thought likely, two of the Police
Court Judges will take turns presiding
over Jury trials there six days week.
| The hours will be from o'clock to
in the afternoon. Maj, Gordon will
send over for the prosecution other
assistant United States attorneys, be-
sides David A. Hart and Thomas E.
Lodge, already available.
the heels of the program laid down
h,, ropor,iSsiouer FenninE TO round I'D