The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1925-07-28
I ASK LEI 7
TOL0CAL
AGENTS
U. S. viii Act Only in Mary
land and Other States That
Lack Dry Laws
By ROBERT S. THORNBURGH

By ROBERT S. THORNBURGH
Hip-f1ask toters, private clubs
suspected of maintaining liquor in
lockers, home brewers and other
small violators of the prohibition
act, will come in for scant atten-
ton from the Federal Government
under the revamped enforcement
system.
Treasury officials declared to-
day that responsibility for check
ing minor attractions of the law
must be taken over by the State
and municipal authorities.
General L. G. Andrews, prohibit
ton car, will urge on State Off
cials the necessity of prosecuting
the small cases in local courts, so
that the Federal tribunals may be
relieved of the serious docket con-
gestion brought about by liquor
actions.
Three States Excepted
New York, Maryland and Nevada,
the three tSates which do not have
State prohibition laws, alone are ex-
cepted from this policy.
Prosecutions in these States must
continue in the Federal courts, all
though officials anticipate the early
passage Of a dry law in Nevada.
When it is necessary because OF
collapse of local enforcement
agencies for the Federal Govern
ment to step in, the extensive EN-.
80 fT1funnfinn
win be the chief weapon against
offenders.
Clubs, hotels, road houses and
other pleasure recorts may be con-
trolled by this agency.
BY holding the new enforcement
machine in reserve for attacking
large conspiracy and smugglig cases
and to eliminate the source Of sup
ply, much lost time occasioned by
the presence of agents in courts to
prosecute trivial actions, Will be
saved, officials said.
Private Club Complaints
Numerous complaints have been
received by the Treasury against
the use of private club lockers for
storing liquor.
While this is an soffense against
the Volstead act the Federal Gov
eminent will not maintain sufficient
forces under the reorganization to
make the thousands OF raids neces-
sary to break up the practice. Ex-
cept in aggravated cases complaints
will be referred to the local authori-
ties.
The mobile force under e. c.
Yellowley, chief of general agents,
consisting of about 900 men virtual
~ will be abolished.
In its place will be maintained
a small body of expert criminal Ill
vestigators for exclusive operations
again big violators.
The present personnel OF the
mobile force will be dropped or will
be absorbed on the staffs OF the
regional administrators.
Officials explained that each ad-
rninistrator would have an organ.
ization not unlike the present ma
tional force.
Administrators will be able TO
complete action on all but the most
important problems where matters
Of national policy are concerned.
The national problems will come
to Washington for decision by An
drews and his staff.
AAI04 CWSB IL wac ACoAhCAS
abandon the ppresent practice OF
Investigations of agents, divisional
chiefs and State directors.
II a fall-down in enforcement &C.
ours the administrator involved will
be asked for an explanation. If the
official appears unequal to his task
he will be replaced.
Andrews i'm New York
General l. G. Andrews. field mar
shall of prohibition, was in New York
today comforting with a number of
business executives who are under
consideration for important posts in
the new enforcement machine.
Prior to leaving Washington An
drews indicated that he would see
prohibition experts in the United
States attorneys office at New York.
Men of wide executive ability are
sought for the prohibition administra-
tor posts at New York, Philadelphia,
Chicago, San Francisco, and few
other cities
New York will be one of the CEN
ters of activity when the Andrews
prohibition program is put into
effect.