Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-10-16
Senator Seeks Information
on Rum Traffic Here From
Official Records.
U. S. DEPARTMENTS DENY
REQUEST FOR DATA
Nebraskan Claims Treasury and
State Officials Refused to Per-
init Scrutiny of Books.

Senator Howell, Republican Of Me-
braska, who recently had an exchange
with President Hoover over the liquor
situation in the Capital, called on Maj.
Henry G. Pratt, superintendent of po-
lice, at the District Building today, seek
ing information about the liquor traffic
here from official records.
AT the same time, Senator Howell let
1t be known that he had been refused
information of a similar nature at the
Terasury and State Departments.
Scans Public Records.
Senator Howell recently declared the
liquor law was not being enforced here
and drew a response from President
Hoover that the Senator place any in
formation as to law violations, which
he might possess, in the hands of the
proper authorities. Senator Howell's first
reply to this was that he had no per-
sonal knowledge of the conditions, but
since that time he has been seeking in
formation from public records.
You know have been asked to pro-
duce names, dates and places" he said
after his visit to Pratt, 80 am look
ing around to see what can find in
the public records on the subject. l
must say that the courtesy with which
trast with that which met at the
Treasury and State Departments,
"Over there they seemed to think that
a public record is not a public record
and they would not even let me look at
them Mai. Pratt treated me with dis
tinguished courtesy and offered me all
the facilities at his command for my
study"
Gives Pratt Information.
Mai. Pratt said Senator Howell dur
ing the conversation had passed on to
him some hearsay information that at
a recent convention here the tedium of
the meetings was relieved by an order
for 1000 quarts of whisky, and that
hardly large dinner, banquet or con-
vention is held where the bowl does
not flow freely. What the Senator says
may be true" Maj Pratt remarked, but
the question Is how to stop it."
Senator Howell seemed particularly
interested in the diplomatic liquor sit
uation, Mai Pratt said. Senator Howell
complained particularly against abuses
of diplomatic immunity He said it did
not seem right that foreign diplomat
could with impunity hoist a whisky
flask in public restaurant and drain it
dry while American citizens who do
this run the risk of being sent to jail.
Senator Howell explained that the in
formation he tried unsuccessfully to OBJ
tain from the State and Treasury De-
partments was regarding transportation
agencies that may have shipped liquor
into this country for embassies and lega-
tionS.
Asked Transportation Data.
Senator Howell explained that he was
not asking for information relating to
any members of the diplomatic corps,
but had asked for the names Of steam
ship lines and other transportation
agencies bringing liquor into the United
States, and from the ports of entry to
Washington. 1t has been the conten-
ton of Senator Howell that there is nc
authority and law permitting an Aneris
can to assist in transporting liquor
from the territorial waters of this coun-
try into Washington for diplomatic use
Senator Howell said he was making
progress on the drafting of his bill to
give Washington local prohibition en-
forcement law, similar to the laws in AZ
States, to supplement the national
prohibition act. He indicated he might
discuss the question again in the Sen
ate at some later date.