Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-03-01
Enforcement Chief Urges Ap-
pointment of Unbiased
Commission to Go Into All
Aspects of Dry Issue.
PLANS LAID FOR PROBE
BY SENATE AND HOUSE
Deploring Present Public Discus
sion of Question, Treasury OM-
cial Seeks Study by Experts to
Last Year if Necessary-Be-
lieves Law Would Be Aided.

lieves Law Would Be Aided.
With Congress on the verge OF
considering a sweeping inquiry into
liquor conditions in the United
States, Lincoln c. Andrews. Assistant
Secretary of the Treasury. who COM
mands all the Government arms
charged with enforcement OF prohi-
hition. today came out with the
recommendation that an impartial
commission Of outstanding Amer'-
cans should be appointed by Presi-
dent Coolidge to look into the entire
sociological and economic aspects OF
prohibition.
Take it out OF the controversial
field" said Gen. Andrews. Take IT
ont of the political field.
Meantime. the House committee on
alcoholic liquor traffic OF which Rep
resentative Hudson. Republican, of
Michigan is chairman. met IN eX-
ecutive session today to map out a
course of action and decide what IT
would do concerning a probe. The
Senate judiciary committee has set
March for a hearing. at which will
he heard Senator's Edwards and Edge
Of New Jersey and Bruce Of Mary
land on their proposals for modhca-
ton or repeal OF the Nolstead act
and investigation Of prohibition con-
ditions in the country.
The Senate committee. 1t was said
today. viii not open an extensive
probe Of conditions on March ). but
will hear these three Senators and
then so into executive session to de
eide on what course later TO pursue.
Andrews to Be Called.
The first witness to be invited he
fore the House alcoholic llquor traffic
committee will be Gen. Andrews, Rep
resentative Hudson announced today.
Chairman Hudson. when informed
Of the recommendation made by Gen.
Andrews for the appointment of
commission TO Investigate liquor traf
fc in this country. said that investi-
cation by the House committee was
In r mea sure to he preliminary. and
that the committee also might recon-
menu ln1t ShCn 4 COMMISSION De APP
pointed by the President
The chairman said that his com
n1ittee would wait until the House
had authorized the appointment of
committee clerk before beginning
its inquiry. \ resolution providing
for a clerk is now before the commit.
Tee on accounts. OF the House. MIR.
Hudson said that he hopes for action
on the resolution within 4 short time.
DeplOres Present .iGaators.
Gen. Andrews. who has been field
marsha for prohibilion since last
April. said today he would make no
observations on the mooted questions
now aeitatinS the public as to whether
the Unit ed States is better off eco
nomically or morally on account Of
prohibition. He had no machinery or
funds for determining the answer TO
these questions. he said
Deploring the agitation. which he
said was kept up by the constant pub
lie discussion Of he merits Of pro
hlhiiion. Gen. Andrews SAID he hoped
that such commission as be pro
posed Informally today m:cht he
authorized with sufficient money to
employ trained experts and make
real scientific study" Of ali related
problems.
The present public discussion over
prohibition, Gen. Andrews said. was
not conducive to good effective and
quiet law enforcement with which no
was charged. He pointed out that
this controversy was being carried on
by apparently intelligent and well.in-
formed men on both sides and that
even in the Senate debate had taken
place over III" merits of prohibition
continuing the public argument.
which. he said. was mot conducive 10
thai peace and security which the
public deserves"