Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-09
DRYLAW COLLISION.
CHARGE DOUBTED.
Treasury Official Reports La
GuarGia's Similar DiScloS.
ureS Proved Untcunded.

Although new communication
addressed to Secretary Mellon by
Representative LaGuardia. Republic
can. New York, rriticizing prohibit
ton enforcement conditions in New
York city had not yet reached the
Treasury this morning. Assistant
Secretary Loman. in charge OF pro-
hihitinn. announced that exhaustive
Investigation of somewhat similar
charges made previously by La
Guartia had been found substantially
without toundrtion.
In his letter made public last night
the New York representative charged
collision between prohibition otti-
ri4ls in New York and boot.eGgcrs.
aud referred To an alleged liquor syn
dictate for importing fine liquors.
Prior Charges Investigated.
The Treasury, Mr. Lowman said,
had investigated through three diff
ferent channels recent criticism by
La Guar6ia TO the effect that much
LIQUOR was coming in through pas
senger liners to supply the upper
crust" in New York. and that the
400" was getting good supply ot
fine tiouurs. hut So far had found no
conditions similar Ia those La Guard!a
described The member of Congress
WAS aSked 20 submit his eViderce. in
Cluiins letters ana names. Ia the MS
trirl attorney. hut this. l.owman said.
tho New Yo"k Representative had
neglected" to do.
Complete Search Made.
Ships are investigated by foreign
agents of the customs service in for
eicu ports as they are loading for
America. Lowman said, They are
again inspected in the New York
harhor and third time AT the dock.
Admitting that small amount OF
liquor probably does slip through in
the personal effects of passengers.
I.owman said that. based on the eN.
haGStive reports of his agents and
the district attorneys office. his opin-
ion WAS that there was no consider
abe quantity of genuine liquor com
Ing ashore on the passenger liners.
Allegations By La Guardia.
Mr.. La Qua rtiia. in a letter 10 Sec
rotary Mellon published today. asked
The Secretary if he was in position
now to reveal what action had been
taken against the 'hiyh.grade liquor"
syndicate which La Guardia recently
ness of the syndicate. he said WAS
smuggling in choice vintages" with
customs stamps.
The New York member reviewed re.
suits of a personal investigation made
during the Christmas holidays in New
York City and 81 Id that he felt il
unsafe 10 deliver evidence at his dis
posal to prohibition authorities there
beca use he had ''asCeriained that con
facts had been established with the
Prohibition Bureau.
Consuits Customs OfiiriaiS.
Il conferred wiih the collector of
customs and the deputy collector AMI
found them most anxious and willing
TO 20 into the matter with wei!
worked out pia n Of running down IN"
heads of this syndicate" he continued
Permit me 10 tell you that the orig
inaI argument set out by some Of the
custom officials that II is Impossible
for custom SiamD 10 he used twice
az il would show double cancellation,
was promptly met by my exhibiting
custom stamps bearing double can
La Guardia advocated reinforce.
ments and higher salaries for the New
York customs office.
1T Is only fair 10 point. he SAID
that the custom officials are ham
pe-el and in no position TO prevent
q ryxtema tized and constant. impnria
tion Of liquor and narcotics fr'm
steamers engaged in foreign trade
with their present personnel and
ava liable funds.