Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-06-12
PROBE OF GUNPLAY
BEGUN BY LOWMAN
Warns Federal Agents May
Be Held Personally ReSpon-
Sibie for Fatal Shootings.

The two border patrolmen at Detroit
and International Falls MINI, who are
being Investigated by the Treasury De-
partment in connection with recent
shootingS, will be held personally re-
sponsible for the use of firearms If the
Investigation dlscloses weapons were
used except in self-defense or to pre-
vent commission of a felony.
Assistant Secretary Lowman, in
charge O. prohibition enforcement,
made this announcement today. The
two pauroimen may seek transfer of
t1eir cases to Federal courts, he ex-
pEAtned, but stated this would in no
way change any charges of use of fire.
Gs-:ls which might be placed against
them.
The Treasury is investigating the
shooting of Archibald EugSter on the
Detroit River and the recent killing of
Henry Virkkula at International Falls,
MIN, both OF which have been
charged to enforcement agents.
Disarming of Agents Is Asked.
Lowman also said vigorous demands
were being made on the Treasury by
members of Congress to disarm agents
These, ne declared, could not be ap-
proved.
To disarm agents. Lowman continued,
would do away with their effectiveness,
since desperate law violators, especially
smugglers. depended upon weapons to
bring success to their ventures. With
law violators ready to open fire, if nee
esSary, he said, it would be impossible
to employ men to enforce the laws I'M
less they were armed.
Lowman has put in motion an inves-
tigation of the Detroit and Interna-
tional Falls shootings. These were
started yesterday about the time the
Shootings were being discussed at the
Capitol, with a number Of Senators and
Representatives demanding action of
some kind.
Lowman indicated he wculd press for
an early report on the two Shootings
He also said the attention of all agents
again would be called to the firearm
order, which reads:
THE promiScuous flourishing and
display OF firearms Is prohibited. A
weapon should never be drawn on a
person except in self-defense or to pre-
vent commission of a felony"
The condition of law enforcement
along the Canadian border opposite De-
troit Is the subject of an exhaustive
survey undertaken by Attorney General
Mitchell with view to effecting better
OF Justice and the Treasury and immi-
grafton authorities.
The Attorney General yesterday con-
ferred at length with John r. Watkins,
district attorney at Detroit, who came
to Washington at Mr.. Mitchell's invi-
tation with information touching on
conditions In the Detroit area. other
enforcement officers from the section
are to be asked for suggestions that
may lead to changes in policy.
Cooperation Is Held Essential.
It was said at the department that
the Attorney General is not investigat-
ting District Attorney Watkins, but
through conferences with him and
others is seeking to inform himself on
conditions brought about by activities
of which prohibition violations are only
an item. Smuggling, the especial con-
Germ of the customs service, under the
supervision of the Treasury Depart
ment, and problems of immigration go
along with prohibition violations to
make the border area enforcement prob
lem difficult of solution.
Attorney General Mitchell feels that
the situation at Detroit does not rest
entirely with prohibition enforcement;
that, in view of the jurisdictions of
various Government departments and
agencies, the question Of coordination
and cooperation is paramount. The
Department of Justice, it was said,
stands ready to cooperate with the
Treasury and immigration authorities
to the fullest extent.
The department has received no COM
plants against District Attorney Wat
kins, it was said. and on behalf of the
Attorney General 1t was explained that
in inviting enforcement officers from
the Detroit area for conferences he was
not questioning administrative eff
cheney in the section.