The Indianapolis times., 1928-05-15
U. S. OFFICIALS
ATTACK DRYS'
USE OF GUNS
Congress Threatens Drastic
Curb as ShootingS
Increase.
BY RAY TUCKER

WASHINGTON, May 15.-Reck-
less use of firearms by dry agents
and coast guardsmen, as in the
shooting of Jacob D. Hanson of Ft
Niagara, was denounced as "inex-
cusable" today by high treasury Of
ficials.
They will not make this statement
publicly in view of their offcia.
position. They will not admit it tc
the Senate commerce committee
which may investigate the night at
tack on Hanson that left him neal
death and facing a life of blind
ness if he RECEIVERS.
For them to make such an ad-
mission probably would bring a re-
buke from their superiors, as
Lincoln c. Andrews, former dry
czar, discovered to mis- sorrow.
Dry Forces Worried
1t would be bad fer the morale OF
the dry forces and the coast guard
1t would shock those professional
drys, who have maintained that al
most any enforcement methods are
justif1ed-including poisoning Of in
dustrial alcohol, they say.
But the members of House and
Senate the men in charge of the
prohibition bureau and the coast
guard concede that the Hanson in
cident is indefensible. They vir-
tually admit their helplessness to
curb such attacks.
Repeated orders have been issued
by the prohibition bureau caution
ing its officers to shoot only in self
defense, but they cannot be en-
forced. The record shows 1873 cer-
sons killed by irresponsible entorc-
ers of the law Nor does this inclue
many lives endangered by stray
shots ashore and afoat
Drastic Remedy Hinted
Because of the Hanson affair
Prohibition Commissioner Doran
has again cautioned his men to
keep their guns in their pockets
except to save their own lives.
So much indignation has been
aroused that drastic measures may
be adopted, either by the Treasury
Department or by Congress.
Not even F. Scott Mcbride, head
of the Anti-Saloon League, has a
word in justification of this extreme
method of enforcing the law. AS a
rule, the league leaders say such
incidents are "regrettable" but
necessary.
Meanwhile, some measures of the
Senate Commerce Committee are
determined to go to the bottom of
the Hanson affair. Admiral F. c.
Billiard, coast guard commander,
has been summoned for appearance
Thursday.
Senators Are Aroused
The committee wants to know ii
his men have orders to shoot at
every automobile which refuses to
stop" Hanson didn't stop because he
thought the coast guard men were
footpads.
Senator copeland (Dem.)I new
York, a member of the committee,
wants to know how long the men
who shot Hanson have been in the
service, their past records and why
they concealed their badges.
Copeland and other members also
want reports on statements by GER
tain coast guard officials that the
morale of the nations Oldest mill
tary branch has broken down COM
pletely since it was impressed into
dry enforcement.
Billiard may be asked how many
of his men have been discharged
for grating, for collusion with boot
leggers, for demonstrated unfitness.
Copeland has already asked Sey-
mour L. Lowman, who has charge
of dry agents and the coast guard,
to supply him with the details of
the 1873 shootings and disposition
of each case.
Demand for a wide open inquiry
has met objections from some Sen
ate drys. They insist that the COM
mittee's hearing be held behind
closed doors and investigate only
the Hanson case.