Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-14
WHISKY SHORTAGE
.ST|RS MERGER PLAN
Voluntary Action by Distll-
Ieries Hope Of Treasury
Department.

ent law of the whisky distillers or
the country into few respohsIple
powerful groups for the manufacture
and distribution of new medlclnal
whisky along program some"ia s,I
like that contemplated in the blll
which failed of enactment last 1oh
gress. is now the hope of the treas,
ury Department, it was announced
today by Assistant Secretary Andrews.
Immediate steps will be taken 10
working out some such plan 10 re,
plenish the fast diminishing medicinal
liquor supply, Gen. Andrews sald. ne
expressed confidence that both the
public and the whisky manufacturers
now understood the problem more
clearly on account of the widespread
discussion during the time the Treas
ury Department proposal Tor
''beneficient monopoly" TO handle the
whisky was before Congress
Returning this morning from
weeks vacation following the adjourn
ment of Congress, Gen. Andrews also
plunged into the problems of reorgan-
izing the prohibition and customs or
CARNATIONS of the department, under
the terms of the new law providing
2 bureau and a commissioner Tor
each.
To Consider appointment.
The appointment of commissioner of
customs and commissioners of prohibl-
ton will be considered at confer
ence, probably tomorrow morning, be-
tween Secretary Mellon. Under Score
tary Ogden l.. Mills and Assistant
Secretary Andrews, it was Indicated
today. Officials were careful today
to refrain from any statements which
might disclose their personal prefer
ences in the appointments, but 1t has
been taken for granted that much
more difficulty will be experienced in
making the selection for prohibition
commissioner than for customs com
missioner
The appointments will he made as
soon as possible, as law the provides
that reorganization of the Treasury
will become effective April /.
Failure of the whisky bill in Con-
gress was a appointment to the
Treasury. as it had hoped to begin
replenishment of the medical liquor
stock of the country under the i'm
proved system which some such bill
would have set up. The House passed
the whisky bill, but it never came to
vote during the Senate jam.
The attempt has not been entirely
In vain, however, Gen. Andrews feels,
as the whole question of medicinal
liquor has been we'll aired both before
Congress and the country at large,
so that the boiling up" process which
the matter received is expected to be
very helpful in developing SOME plan
now -
Already Gen. Andrews has been in
conference several times with the lead.
ing distillers of the country and has
discussed the problem generally. with
view to replenishing the stock. Set.
ting up new organization under the
present old law, will be more difficult,
II was explained, than under the new
legislation. But an attempt will be
made. so far as possible under the old
law. TO approximate the lineup pro.
posed in the new bill. Gen. An
drews believes an approach to the plan
can be made. No date has yet been
set for the conference with distillers
here, but ii Is expected to be soon.
No Definite Plan.
No definitely well formed plan has
been completed by Gen. Andrews, but
ne hopes to work the proposal into
voluntary groups of the owners,
strong enough to take care of the
small owners, the whole plan to be
developed on the basis of cooperation
among the whisky men and the Gov.
eminent. Heavy responsibility would
be laid on the few big organiza tons
charged with manufacture and dis.
tribution of whisky:
A fight by the Anti.Saloon League
against the naming of any wet
Army officer" TO be prohibition com
missioner was disclosed today by
Wayne B. Wheeler general counsel
of the league, who sharply criticized
the activities Of some such officers
Explaining an official statement is
sued for today by him, Mr.. Wheeler
said many leaders of the league were
pushing Roy A. Haynes for the new
commissionership and that the league
was making a direct appeal to the
President and TO Secretary Mellon to
prevent, if possible, the naming of
any one who. personally was not a
friend of the prohibition law.
"A number of wet Army officers
went into the prohibition service"
Mr.. Wheeler said, Just long enough
to get out and talk as eX-off1cials for
the vets. If the people knew these
men and their former wet records
they would realize what has happen.
ed. But these men appear to the
public now as reinforcement agents
and 4 by their statements do more
Z harm than all their services ever did
good
I'LL lptChis formal statement published
(. today Mr.. Wheeler without mention.
Ing the name Of Roy A. Hayl.es. who
holds the title now, but not the re-
sponsibilities Of prohibition commits
sioner, said:
- s9sIhesAA nti-Saloon Leagu and other
]. dry fAafces are making united APP
the President and Secretary
Mellon TO appoint commissioner who
believes in the law he is TO enforce
sThe Secretary appoints the commits.
. Eioner, but the President is required
by the Constitution TO see that the
laws are enforced There is joint re-
kponsibility." =.
- Asked why the name of Mr. Haynes
. had beaH omitted Mr. Wheeler ex.
r@plaiRed Chat many league leaders were
In favorsof his candidacy, while others
. Eere~4fot. but preferred some other
. ia udidate.
BEs maj Haynes made a good record
skts, commissioner. said Mr. Wheeler,
; geommenting for the first time directly
son the candidate. although he had
y many handicaps and inadequate leg
I tslation. Consequently many league
flea ders of the country feel he should
Shave a chance to act as commissioner
/ with equipment and a better chance
sloE make good. There might be other
/ seuplicants who are friends of the
: law, who have had experience also
{ We will not oppose them, but II APP
( pointed viii give them all the help
we can"