Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-23
Presidents Answer to Sena-
tor Howell Calls for Investi-
cation of Conditions Here.
H00vER'S FAVOR OF NEW
LAW IS INDICATED
Dougherty and Pratt Silent, but
Commissioner Plans Discus.
sion With Colleagues.

Revival Of agitation for a prohibition
enforcement act for the District of
Columbia and indications that such
an act would be acceptable to President
Hoover today had developed out of the
controversy resulting from Senator
Howells declaration in the Senate that
the law is not being enforced in Wash
ington.
The whole subject of prohibition en-
forcerent in the Capital and the Dis
trtct was open for spirited discussion
as result of Senator Howell's declara-
ton and President Hoover's counter
assertion that it is the intention to
make the Capital City model in the
country"
Senator Howell of Nebraska said to-
day that he did not have specific evi-
dence Of any violations of the prohi-
bition law to turn over to local authori-
ties. He explained that when he re-
ferred to the District of Columbia in
the course of his speech in the Senate
Saturday, he was referring only to what
ne thought was common knowledge
that bootleggers are not wanting in
this city.
The Senator indicated he might have
something to say on the question in
the Senate later today or at an early
opportunity.
Departing from an accustomed quiet
on Sunday, President Hoover caused to
be issued late yesterday a statement
in which he said: Senator HowelIs
statement that the prohibition law is
not being enforced in the District of
jYVop he
faith and capacity of Commissioner
Dougherty. in charge of police; Supt
OF Police Pratt. District Attorney Rover
and Prohibition Agent William Blanford.
Glad Question Was Raised.
''The President is glad the Senator
has raised the question: the White
House statement said. He is confident
that the Senator would not make these
charges unless they were based upon
definite facts, with time and place,
and II he will lay any such information
before the Department of Justice. the
President will have the matters vigor-
ously investigated, for it is the inten-
ton not only to secure the fullest en-
forcement in the District possible under
the organization of enforcement agencies
as provided by law. but to make 1t a
model in the country
NOLCOFcI, SdIu Tie WnlUS HOUSE
statement sit is only. fair to give the
District officials an opportunity to meet
such charges"
Taking the position that President
Hoover had answered the imputation
of Senator Howell of Nebraska that
Washington is not as dry as it ought
to be because of lax enforcement of
the prohibition law. Commissioner
Proctor L. Dougherty and Maj Henry
ri,,fa
day declined to be drawn into the con-
troversy.
Plans Further Discussion.
Commissioner Dougherty said that
he had read the Presidents reply to
Senator Howell as published in the
newspapers, and indicated that he
thought a statement from him is un-
necessary at this time. Maj. Pratt
also expressed a similar opinion.
Commissioner Dougherty. however.
announced that he planned to discuss
the situation at the earliest opportunity
with his two colleagues, Commissioners
Sidney F. Taliferro and William B.
Ladue. The purpose of the conference
was not revealed While Maj. Pratt
declined to comment on Senator How
ellis charges, he called attention to his
annual report. which pointed out that
tAiC OIASC OCpdL lbdO III I1O
measure relaxed its intensive campaign
in the enforcement of liquor laws. In
this report the police superintendent
recommended that the entire force be
clothed with the authority of prohi-
bition enforcement officers, so that
the liquor laws might be even more
strenuously enforced. The department
now has 38 members vested with au-
thority as special prohibition agents
and they are devoting their entire time
to enforcement of the liquor and gam
bling laws.
Doran Backs Idea.
Commissioner Doran Of the Prohibi-
ton Bureau. today added his voice to
the discussion by reiterating that the
District shuld be provided with an en-
forcement law comparable to statutes
enacted in all but two Of the States.
DR.. Doran took issue with Senator
Howell that the Capital is one of the
wet spots in the country, and asserted
that "the Police Department is CO.
operating energetically with our forces,
and any investigation into the work Of
those two organizations will show that
they are doing excellent work.
Senator Howell, commenting .on the
Presidents statement, said that he
meant everything he told the Senate
and that he was surprised his asser-
tions had aroused unusual attention,
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