Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-07
Andrews Under Fire
(Cnn&inued from Pace Onel

even embalming fluid for the bootleg
trade. alcohol diversion and proposed
legislation to tighten up enforcement.
Assistant Secretary Andrews, the
field marshal of prohibition enforce
ment, again was the witness, but
tressed at times by James E. Johns,
director Of prohibition. who sat
across the table from his chief.
Senator Reed. Democrat, Missouri,
the one avoWed wet on the commit
tee of five, conducted the cross exam
ination during most Of the two hours
Of the hearing and the crowd which
damned the committee room appear
ed to get plenty Of kicks out of his
questions and observations and the
replies Of the two witnesses. Again
and again laughter swept the room
and there was no 'admonition, for
senators themselves could not re-
frain from joining in the demonstra-
ton.
But the hearing was not all hilar-
ity. Senator Reed bore down heavily
as Secretary Andrews suggested a
law which would give the prohibition
unit the right to refuse to Reissue
permits without appeal to the courts
by the permittee. The senator de-
clared this would give arbitrary"
power TO officials to destroy 'le-
Ultimate" depending for it's life on
industrial alcohol.
General Andrews finally conceded
that an appeal to the court should be
allowed in the case of refusal of re-
newed permits just as 1t Is provided
for now when permits are revoked.
The chairman cut short the argument
with the declaration that congress
o,-it .
proposed to any executive branch Of
the government.
Before this subject was disposed
Of. however. Senator Reed called at
tention that S75 employees of the en-
forcement unit had been dismissed
for law violations and he suggested
that certainly this authority should
not be invested in men who might
turn out to be dishonest.
This led to the field of who recon-
mended enforcement officers. Gen.
eral Andrews said the Women's
Christian Temperance Union and the
Anti Saloon League had done so in
the past.
"But will say Wayne B. Wheeler
never has made any recommended
tons" he added, referring to the gen.
eral counsel of the Anti Saloon
League.
You stopped him, didn't you?"
Queried Senator Reed.
HE never started" returned Mr..
Andrews.
Senator Harreld, Republican, Ok
lahona, suggested that administra-
tors charged with employing their
own forces should look to the friends
Of prohibition for recommendations.
Then you would have just as many
crooks in the future as you have had
in the past" said Senator Reed.
Director Jones, as the expert wit
ness" on non-refillable whiskey bot
ties. testified that there was no such
thing.
You're right" returned Senator
Reed. you can refill non-refillable
bottle. It's a little longer operation
and so rather trying on the nerves
OF the man who Is waiting for q
drink
A reference to "split" whiskey
aroused the curiosity of Senator
Walsh. Democrat, Montana, an avow-
ed dry, who asked what it was.
alcohol colored with whiskey" ex-
planned General Andrews.
That didn't satisfy Senator Reed,
who said, as spectators again laugh
ed:
"Since Senator Walsh doesn't know
anything about this. l will say that 1t
has been stated to mel have never
performed the operation myself-that
you take a gallon of whiskey and
then alcohol and water and make sew
eral gallons
I'm told alcohol is as wholesome
as whiskey," interjected General An
drews with a grin.
That's a gratifying bit Of informa-
ton" said Senator Reed.
Adverting to the number Of en-
ployes dismissed for improper con-
duct General Andrews said his men
were subject to great and constant
temptations. He added that it was
an unpleasant duty" for them to
have to drink liquor in order to get
evidence.
That observation brought q laugh