Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-01-26
LAG IN PROHIBITION
UP FOR DISCUSSION.
Mrs. WiIIebrandt of Justice
Department to Confer on
Law Enforcement.

Following admission by adnlmistra
ton officials that the judicial machin-
cry of the Government was not keep
ing pace with the agencies apprehend-
ing prohibition law offenders, 81 series
OF addresses and conferences on pro-
hibition from New jersey to California
viii be opened this week by Mrs. Ma
bel Walker Willebrandt. Assistant At
torney General, in charge of prohibit
ton enforcement. She will return to
Washington about February %.
Runners that Mrs Willebrandt may
retire from the Government service
were renewed when it was learned
that she Will visit. among other places
in the West. her homo at Los Angeles,
but these reports We're officially de-
"lared at the Department Of Justice
TO-DAY TO he without foundation
Will Visit "Key" Districts.
Mrs. Willebrandt will utilize her
previously planned trip on official bust
ness TO the West rs an opportunity to
hold conferences with district attor-
neES in various key" districts on
problems of prohibition enforcement.
The latest policies of the admins
tration in its big campaign of law en-
ioIcement Will he gone over in these
conferences. and it is understood plans
VIII be laid for every effort to be put
forth by the Department of Justice
agencies of the Government to carry
through the program of dry enforce
ment by conVicting the law breakers
which Gen. Lincoln c. Andrews and
ms newly reorganized army of proh-
bition agents are catching in their
freshly strengthened net
These conferences by Mrs Willie
brandt follow the speech last night
IN New York by Gen. Andrews, in
which he declared the morale of pro-
hlniuon agents was breaking down
ana that there was a lack of the
proper judicial machinery.
1 am trying to put the big fellows
the great organizers of the liquor traf-
nc, where they belong" said Gen. An
ureWs. In number of districts /
nave got the evidence. but | am COM
PEELED to wait until l know that I
nave the court machinery to handle
the cases"
Aim to Strengthen Forces.
No i'll feeling or lack of co-opera-
ton has been known to exist between
the office of Gen. Andrews and Mrs
Niiiebrandt. and il was believed by
officials in close touch with the situa-
ton today that Gen. Andrews was not
aiming his remarks at Mrs. Willie
mates. The fact that she is taking
the trip, coupled with Gen. Andrews
remarks. was Interpreted as indica-
ton that both the Treasury and De-
partment OF Justice are bent on
strengthening all available arms of
the Government to prosecute the dry
campaign.
The first step in Mrs. Willebrandt's
campaign will be an address in New
Jersey. admittedly wet.
Mrs. Nillebrandt will speak Thurs
day night at a law enforcement rally
in Trenton. under the auspices of the
Anti-Saloon League. and a group Of
womens clubs. The Western trip of
the Assistant Attorney General Will
start Friday.
Believe Peak Is Reached.
Although taking West with her the
latest advices Of the administration
TO its district attorneys in the field.
Mrs. Wiilebrandt believes, along with
some others that lit is quite appair-
ent that the Federal judicial machin-
cry has reached its peak in the dispo-
Sition of cases.
"If the dockets are to he cleared
and the number of pending cases
kept at reasonable figure" said Mrs.
Willebrandt. lit is necessary that adj
ditional assistance. both judicial and
prosecuting. be given at the points
where cloGSed dockets and a continu-
Gus thrush OF cases makes speedy adj
ministration Of justice practically i'm
possible. Another handicap, she cites
is "the small penalties provided by
the national prohibition act, explain
ing they are disproportionate to thee
penalties imposed for violation Of
other Federal laws"