New Britain herald., 1926-05-26
CONTINUE FIGHT
 ON DRY DECREE
Opponents Of Coolidge Ruling
 Question Its Legality

Washington, May 26 (P)-The con- troversy raging over President Coo lidSe's order authorizing extension of federal authority 10 state, coun- ty and city police officers working on prohibition cases had advanced today to the point were its legality will he investigated by the senate judiciary committee.
 In addition, unless 1t is revoked within few days, Representative Hill, republican. Maryland. wet lead- or in the house plans to call up his resolution. introduced yesterday, 10 prohibit employment of federal of ficers by states or of state officers by the federal government.
 The senate inquiry. to he conduct cd under a resolution by Senator King. democrat. Utaha, will have as its purpose the ascertaining of the legal status of the order "to enable the senate to determine whether leg islation is advisable or necessary" in connection with the enforcement policy if embodies.
 Meanwhile those opposed 10 the order are waiting with considerable interest 10 see whether any definite action will follow the White House pronouncement that while the prcsi- dent did not regard If as an inva- sion Of state rights nor as inconsist- rnt with the national enforcement policy, he was willing 10 modify if if it's operation threatened 10 lead 10 harmful consequences.
 This latest center of the wet and dry storm had it's origin in Cali fornia and apparently is still whirl- ing there, although it's main force seems to be over Washington, if was suggested by Ned M. Green. prohibition administrator at San Francisco and it's promulGation was recommended by Assistant Score tary Andrews with a view to it's ap- plIcation primarily in certain coun- tries of that state.
 Treasury and White House off cials have insisted that they had no intention Of putting the order into general operation, with the effect Of multiplying the federal prohibition forces to a vast extent hy enrolling state and local police throughout the country wherever such dual holding Of office was permitted by law and Secretary Mellon has gone so far as to say he wouldn't have endorsed it if he had known it was going 10 kick up such q row,
 To carry out the original intent, Colonel Green was ready to confer the federal authority upon A deputy shc7iffs in the territory under his Jurisdiction. while Robert Firth, ad- mMis-rator of Los Angeles, planned to adj thro" 10 his force.
 The San Francisco administrator holds that the "order was issued simply to give much needed au- thority to county officers" in certain localities and docs not mean the appointment of more agents nor additional expense nor "any abuse of authority, unless you want 10 admit that your present shcrlIis and deputy sheriffs are not mon who can be trusted with a little additional authority"
 His idea, he explained, was in tended primarily to combat q con- dition existing along the border Of two adjacent counties in California. Liquor was distilled in one and sold in the other. he said, and when the local authorities found that the county line gave com plcte protection to these violators, nearly all of whom were dcportablc aliens" they appealed 10 him and he put his suggestion up to Wash ington, since no federal agents were available for the work.