Evening star., 1927-03-10
MELLON TORETA|N
DRY LAW CONTROL
Return of Andrews Awaited
for Appointment of New
Commissioner.

While delegating full administra-
tive authority to the new prohibition
commissioner to take command OF
forces here April /, under the new
law, Secretary of the Treasury Mel
lon, will continue his control, through
Assistant Secretary Lincoln G. An
drews. of all prohibition enforcement
policies, it was made plain today at
the Treasury.
The vexing problem of what to do
about the new prohibition commission
ership is besetting Secretary Mellon
from all sides, with a battle being
waged by friends and enemies of
Roy A. Haynes, who now holds the
empty title of prohibition commits
sioner together with a $500 salary:
But Secretary Mellon, it was indicated
today, will sit tight until the return
next week Of Gen. Andrews, when
some decision will be made.
General Control Unchanged.
The secretary, in discussing the
lineup for the new Bureau OF PRO
hibition, explained that no essentlal
change in the manner of general con-
troll over prohibition matters VIII be
made. but the new prohibition COM
missioner will he authorized by the
secretary under the new law passed
by the last act of Congress, to carry
much broader administrative powers.
The law not only establishes a pro-
hibition commissionership, but trans
fers prohibition authority from the
Commissioner of Internal Revenue 10
the Secretary of the Treasury for ms
delegation of it as he sees fit to the
new prohibition commissioner.
Gen. Andrews in the new arrange.
ment will not have his duties changed
from that of Assistant Secretary Oh
the Treasury in charge OF customs,
coast guard and prohibition, IL was
explained. Gen. Andrews VIII con
tinue to be the Contact" or "instru-
mentalist. !" Mr.. Mellon said. in direct
ing the policies of prohibition under
the Secretary's authority.
Faces Difficult Problem.
With characteristic caution, Mr..
Mellon ATTEMPTED to refrain from CIV
ing any indication of his feelings or
preference in the matter of the COM
missionership of prohibition, but 1t
is known that he will have hard
knot to unravel when he decides
finally between Roy A. Haynes, Anti
Saloon League favorite, and others
who are being urged and recommend
Z.
and outside the Treasury Department.
According to the best indications
Haynes stands no chance.
President Cooiidges recent intima-
tion that he intends to delegate the
entire. responsibility OF making the
choice to Secretary Mellon, not only
will pass the fight over Haynes on
to Mellon, and thus relieve the Presi-
dent, but will give the Secretary full
sway in his choice. There were those
close to the situation today who inter
preted the Coolidge "hand-o off" policy
as an intimation that the President
and his Secretary already had come
to q tacit understanding, and that the
question of Haynes had been settled
between them. But grim reticence on
anything approaching this question
was maintained in official circles.
Feeling throughout the Treasury
Department itself for months has been
dead set against Haynes for commits
sioner. Gen. Andrews, it is known,
does not approve Haynes for commits
sioner, although he has insisted that
Haynes was valuable part OF the
prohibition machine on account of his
long experience.
Backed by Anti-SaIOon League.
The Anti-Saloon League, Senator
Willis of Ohio. and others have gone
to the front for Haynes. who comes
from Ohio the birthplace of the
league. Many recommendations have
been filed with Secretary Mellon, it
was learned today. in behalf of
Haynes. But there also have been
strong objections filed in no uncertain
language against him.
Among the names known to be
receiving consideration are Prohibit
ton Administrator J. d. Pennington
of Pittsburgh and Maj. III. III. White,
now a special investigator. who was
formerly in charge of Texas, and later
Maryland and the District of Column
bia. These two men may be consid-
cred for important posts under the
commissioner in case another is named
to the top position. Several names
from outside the prohibition organiza-
ton have been proposed, but the
Treasury is keeping silent on all.