The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-06-15
RY RAY T. TUCKER

ny RAY T. TUCKER
BRIG. Gen. Lincoln G. Andrews
NAV have been the architect OF
many misfortunes which beset MN
in the last year of this admln1stra-
tion as Federal dry chief, but ne
was an honest architect.
Testifying before a Senate com
mittee in April, 1926, he made the
mistake of admitting that palata-
BILE beer, mountaineering IN 1acG
to the average man," would AID
enforcement.
A hostile fleet bearing down on
our coasts could not have produc~
greater CONSERVATION among ad-
ninistration men and professional
drys. A special meeting OF the
Anti-Saloon League executive COM
mittee was called to discuss punish
nnent of this heretical plain speaked.
Secretary Mellon, though more
circumspect and unobtrusive, was
even more dynamic and effective.
It was an unfortunate moment for
such an appalling admission by
Melons enforcement chief, for the
Republican senatorial primary in
Pennsylvania was only a month
away.
Bombshell at Mellon
For days the Mellon group had
been trying to stave off action ny
tho Anti-Saloon League that would
aid Governor Clifford Pinchot III his
attempt to defeat ex-senator Pep
per, Melons candidate, for renoml-
nation.
But Mellon is a resourceful indl-
vidual. General Andrews was forcod
to issue a statement making clear
that he had not meant to advocate
any change in the Volstead act per-
Knitting this palatable beer.
The Anti-Saloon League remained
resentful, however, and Went
through the motions of debating the
comparative dryness Of Plnchot ana
Pepper. Mellon was not lacking IN
this critical moment. Additional
prohibition bills which seemed I'M
constitutional on their face were
whipued into shape and rushed be-
fore the appropriate committees.
They provided for search OF
homes merely on suspicion, search
and seizure of American ships pc
vond the twelve-mile limit. jail sem
fences for hip toters, immediate
oonhscation of seized ships, civil
service for dry agents, etc.
Andrews Gives Ultimatum
Though the committees were bone
drv. thew felt compelled to modify
most of the bills to make them
constitutional. But General An
drews, accepting the changes, IN
formed the legislators the bills were
essential to proper enforcement
He also let Secretary Mellon and
President Coolidge know that he
regarded them as absolutely neces-
sary, He virtually presented an I'LL
tinatum that he must resign II
these additional weapons were not
given him.
But the Administration made no
attempt to use it's influence on the
Republican majority in Congress
Coolidge remained silent on the ne
= cessity of passing these law enforce
ment bills. Nor did the professional
drys give any effective aid But
they never forgave Andrews Tor
his frankness.
Though the Administration with
held support from definite legisla-
tive proposals, it showed its interest
in law enforcement in other ways.
About this time President Coolidge
signed the famous executive order
permitting State, county and nu-
nicipal peace officers to be drafted
into the prohibition service.
Policy in Order
The American people were not
taken into consideration concerning
this sweeping order which was to af-
feet their comings and goingS, but
the dry leaders may have been made
aware of it's existence, and it may
have had great deal to do with
their neutrality in the Pepper-Pin-
chot battle.
No reason ever was given for the
secrecy surrounding the order; 1t be-
came known to the public when
treasury subordinate permitted a
newspaper correspondent to see it
on a day that General Andrews was
out of town.
The storm Of protest 1t aroused
by it's invasion of States rights pre-
vented it from becoming popular,
but, so far as is known, 1t never
has been rescinded. Even stalwart
Republican Senators and Governors
assailed the theory of government
implied in its scope.
But the Anti-Saloon League did
not indorse Pinchot!
Conclusion: White House Denies