Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-21
AFTER ANDREWS SCALP

Inc news reports indicate con-
siderable indignation at General
Andrews because of his reply to a
question asked by Reed of Missouri.
This resentment is said to be
crystallizing in an effort to remove
Andrews from charge of enforce
ment.
To avoid jumping at conclusions
it would seem well to review the
summing up of Reeds question. fol-
lowing long questioning as to the
effect of the sale of beer on enforce
ment of the Volstead Act:
Senator Reed, of Missouri--Now,
as l understand You, general. in one
statement, your opinion is this:
That, particularly in view of the
bad quality of hard liquor now sold
in this country, that, If beer, health
full beer, could be manufactured, a
beer that is Notwithstanding in fact
to the average person and distribut-
ed by the Government under regula-
ton, not allowed to be sold in
saloons or public places or drunk
upon the premises, that the people
would take to the drinking of that
sort of beverage instead of the vile.
hard liquor that we have now. and
that it would promote temperance
and would aid you in suppressing
the Illicit still and the bootlegger?"
General Andrews-The answer is
that l do believe it would be help
full"
Then 1t might help to give con-
sideration to the if". to which
Andrews replied. 'ff" wholesome
beer notwithstanding in fact, dis
tributed by the Government and not
sold in saloons, and If the drinkers
took to drinking this in place of the
poisonous compounds would 1t aid in
suppressing the Illicit still and
bootlegger, to which the General re-
piled that he thought 1t would be
helpful.
Following this, consideration of
Andrews record would seem to be in
order. That record. we believe has
been a good one. He took the office
year ago this month and in that
time he has reorganized the service,
he has thinned out Rum Row, he has
been able to impose very helpful re-
strictions along the border, several
big booze syndicates have been
broken up, thousands of places have
been padlocked, and. If we are not
mistaken in the symptoms, some of
the recent excitement manifested
among contingents of the VETS is
in a measure due to their feeling the
halter of restraint draw.
He has urged on Congress further
legislation to permit more drastic
methods of enforcement. to enable
| him to keep tabs on the breweries,
to prevent the diversion of alcohol.
although considerable has been &C
complished already in this difficult
| feature of a very difficult task.
When he was selected it was after
due consideration and an earnest eff
fort to get the most efficient leader
possible. What he has done in the
| face of tremendous difficulties indi-
| Gates that the selection was a good
! Out. CO ldI DIS we ltdII. lltl llO
outstanding figure to supersede him.
Surely such an one should have
other qualification than saying mo-
to what Andrews said yes"
We are reminded of the story of
the man who had faith in the dis
elimination of his dog. He wished
! to select a man for an importan.
position and he invited. the ap-
| plicants to his home where they
were met by the dog. The animal
| turned to one of them and fawned
upon him. He was selected for the
place, though it latter developed the
other man was better fitted. Also
later it was learned that the man in
whom the dog showed interest,
knowing of the masters peculiar
tiles, had taken the precaution to
conceal bits of meat in the cuff of
his trousers. We hope the public
has a better sense of discrimination
Also it might help to consider what
Abraham Lincoln said about swap
ping horses while crossing a stream