Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-02-06
Smoot Bill Would Take Liquor
Ban Enforcement From
Internal Revenue.
ANDREWS ASKS CHANGE
IN VOLSTEAD MEASURE
Vets to Propose Modification at
Big Conference Here
February 22

Creation of a separate bureau Of
prohibition in the Treas sury Depart
ment to which would be trans
ferred the duties now vested in the
commissioner of internal revenue in
connection with the dry law
is provided for in a hill introduced in
the Senate today by Senator Smoot,
chairman of the finance committee
The same bill also would create "a new
bureau of customs in the Treasur,'
Department and provide that each of
the two bureaus would be presided
over by Il commissioner appointed by
the Secretary ot the Treasury at $40
Uhu a wear.
All powers or duties deNolVinG upon
the commissioners OF internal revenue
with reference to administrator or
enforcement would be lodged in the
Secretary Of the Treasury. who.
under the hill. could delegate such
powers Ia the proposed commissioner
of prohibition. 1t j. stipulated. how
ever. that the Secretary of the II cas-
ury could leave in the Internal Rev
enue Eurcau the collection OF any
taxes in connection with the prohibi
ton law.
The existing offices of director IF
N1b'iiic anu III 'iNNANAsi4iN NS"ii ~
abolished hy the hill with th,. crea-
ton OF the new office. of commissioner
Of customs.
The proposed changes were drafted
by Assistant Secretary Andrews in
the light of his experiences As chief
enforcement officer. and have been ap-
proved by Secretary Mellon.
Bo. Ian Renews Fight.
Renewing his demand for conSideia-
ton OF his bin To modify the NoIstead
act. Representative Boyl;tn. Democrat.
New York, wrote The Hnus. judiciary
committee today that in his opinion
Congress was binding its eyes Ia the
prohibition situation, and would
rather listen to fairy tales br the
nti-Saloon League than face dis
tasteful realities.
Clear sighted and honest men. in
Guiding the chief OF the prohibition
unit, Assistant Secretary Andrews of
the Treasury, admit prohibition has
not been enforced he said
with the Government spending
millions TO enforce one foolish law. il
is little wonder that Congress cannot
afford sufficient sums to keep our
Army and Navy and Air Service on a
par with those of foreign countries"
NetS l-duncn New Attack.
The introduction of the Smoot bill
today comedies with renewed drive
in and out of Congress for legalization
OF light wine and beer. but there was
no Indication that any step in the di.
rection Of such legislation was con
templated in the Treasury program.
The wine and beer drive. recently
given Endorsement by the Church
Temperance Society of the Episcopal
Church, is expected to take orga EiZed
form at a rally to be held here on
Washington's birthday under the aus.
pices Of the Association Against the
Prohibition Amendment.
Many bills for changes in the Vol
stead act are pending in Congress,
but the committees having jurisdic-
tion have shown no inclination to
consider them. Bills to authorize the
making of beer and wine predom-
mate among these measures.
President Saw Need.
Some time ago District Attorney
Buckner at New York announced d
policy of concentrating on bootleg
gers and rum runners in preference
TO lesser offenders. and afterward it
was disclosed at the White House
that. while President Coolidge stood
ioi iuH eIioiceHieHl VI lHe law, ne
recognized that present enforcement
machinery would not permit prohibi-
ton agents to give hip-pocket vio-
lators the same attention as boot
legSerS.
Every test of strength in Congress
in recent years has resulted in over
Whelming victory for the drys. and
although many attempts at modifica-
ton have been made, not a single
syllable of the NolStead act has been
changed since it first was written on
Continued on Page >, Column g.