The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-06-06

Halves took the position the
public would have little faith in
a commission that carried on its
work in secret.
Cause for the sparse applause on
the Hoover message was explained
as being caused by dry leaders eX-
pecting the President to recommend
direct transfer Of prohibition en-
forcement from the treasury to the
justice department.
They are in favor of such a course
and understood the President
favored it too.
Hoover Endorsed this plan in many
speeches during the campaign. Dry
leaders had talked with him as re-
Gently as Tuesday about it and now
believe some strong opposition to
direct transfer must have come to
the President from influential
sources.
Message Is Short
Senator Wesley Jones of Wash
ington, author of the Jones Law,
said he would sponsor legislation
to carry out the Presidents plan.
Il think it is a good idea" he
said.
Senator Pat Harrison Dem,
Miss said: 81 hope the commits
sion is more successful in getting
REORGANIZATION than the old Brown
commission of 1921 We worked
for two years and developed a fine
plan, but nothing has ever been
done about it. 1t still is gathering
dust in the archives"
Watson said: Il think it is good
idea. favor transfer Of enforce
ment to the justice department"
The Presidents message was as
follows
"To the Congress Of the United
States:
I'm order to secure the utmost
expedition in the reorganization and
concentration of responsibility in
administration of the federal bu-
reaus connected with prohibition
enforcement, so greatly needed to
improve their effectiveness, I recon-
mend that the congress appoint a
Joint select committee to make an
immediate study of these matters
and to formulate recommendations
FOR consideration at the next regular
session.
Willing to Cooperate
Il shall be glad to appoint a COM
mittee from the departments TO
cooperate with such committee
Of the congress. The national COM
mission on law observance and en-
forCement also will cooperate
through their studies of the depart
mental organization.
The subject involves the transfer
Of parts Of various bureaus and
agencies from certain departments
to others and it includes as well the
necessity for the unifcation and
strengthening of our border patrols,
both in connection with prohibition
and Illegal entry Of aliens.
"As the question embraces nuner-
Ouo AdWo anu 4CS 1dIlOLlo III several
bureaus, it will require extensive
consideration which, if given jointly
by such committees Of the congress
and the departments prior to the
regular session, will save many
months Of delay"
Waited for Mabel to Quit
Although the President made no
specific suggestion as to how the re-
organization should be accom-
plished, it generally is understood in
official circles that his message con-
stitutes the first step in the adj
ministration program for transfer
ring all enforcement activities from
the treasury to the department of
justice.
Transmission of this recommended
ton TO congress so soon after the
resignation Of Mrs. Mabel Walker
Willebrandt as assistant attorney
general gave credence TO reports
long current in Official circles that
the reorganization Of the prohibit
ton unit awaited Mrs. Willebrandt's
withdrawal as chief of the justice