Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-01-20
RUM FUND DECISION
REVIEW IS URGED
Mellon Asked by Dry Leaders
to Reconsider DisapprovaI
of Appropriation.
Continued From First Page.)

to develop and carry out an adequate
program"
The opportunity referred to is an
amendment to the pending deficiency
supply bill by Senator Harris, Democrat,
of Georgia, to provide an additional
$25 900 900 for prohibition enforcement.
Secretary Mellon. writing to the Senate
after the Harris proposal was approved
by the Senate appropriations committee,
declared it would not be advisable to
make the money available until a survey
were conducted to determine the most
advisable way to spend it.
After the dry leaders telegram was
made public, Senator Harris declared
himself highly gratified with this addi-
tional support for his proposal. Espe-
cially, he added. was he gratified to
learn that the president of the Anti
Saloon League had "repudiated" F.
Scott Mcbride, superintendent Of the
league, for Joining forces with Secre-
tary Mellon" against the increase.
Senator Harris declared Mcbride first
had Endorsed the increase. but changed
his position when Secretary Mellon an
nounced his disapproval.
Fund Division Suggested.
The telegram advised Secretary Mellon
10 investigate as to the best distribution
OF the additional funds suggesting that
they might be divided between the Coast
Guard Service, Canadian border patrol
stringent surveillance of breWeries and
IAN extensive Nationwide education
campaign employing best talent to pre-
pare accurate, striking posters and cir
culars emphasizing the danger to indi-
viduals and to society of the use OF
intoxicantS."
The message to Secretary Mellon de-
clared. I'VE are amazed at your failure
to recognize great dissatisfaction with
the inadequacy of the present program
and to grasp eagerly the opportunity
presented by the proposed appropriation
for the immediate development Of q
more adequate program"
Why cannot the appropriation be
made" it continued, subject to such
distribution as the Secretary Of the
Treasury may determine after thorough
investigation; part for Coast Guard
part for customs. part especially for
Canadian border. part for doubling or
trebling present field force, increasing
salaries to induce higher-type men to
apply for this responsible and hazard
Gus work. part for more thorough
stringent surveillance of breweries and
distillerieS to prevent illegal distribution
of high-powered beer and diversion of
industrial alcohol. part for intensive
Nationwide education campaign en-
ploying best talent to prepare accurate
striking posters and circulars emphasizr
ing danger to individuals and to society
of use of intoxicants, also the physical
economic personal and social dement's
OF abstinence and prohibition appealing
to patriotic citizenship 70 abandon and
discourage self-indulgent demoralizine
lawleSSneSS.
Harris Expresses Gratiflcs ton.
''It viii be difficult for the average
citizen to believe that there Is much
zeal or eagerneSs on the part Of the
Secretary of the Treasury to secure
adequate enforcement II he refuses this
opportunity to develop and carry out
an adequate program.
I'VE are convinced that your reply
to Senator Warren has been read with
grave concern by that part of the
electorate which recently declared its
purpose that the 18th Amendment
should stand and be enforced. Speak
ing for those whom We represent we
respectfully request prompt reconsidera-
ton, an earnest support Of the pro-
posed appropriation. Otherwise the
questions inevitably arise: first. does
the Treasury Department sincerely de-
sire efilcient enforcement: second, is
it unable to develop an adequate pro-
gram"
Expressing qualification with the
telegram, Senator Harris said:
Il am particularly gratified because
Mr.: Mcbride, superintendent Of the
Anti-Saloon League, Endorsed my
amendment In q prepared address given
last Sunday but reversed himself after
Secretary Mellon had sent the Senator
. letter withholding his approval of
the increase.
My amendment had more than
enough votes to pass as ! introduced 1t
prior to the failure of Secretary Mellon
and Mr.. Mcbride to indorse It. ! am
happy that the president Of the Anti
Saloon League now repudiates Mr.. Nc
Bride for joining forces with Mr. Mellon
in opposition to the increase.
I'm view Of this new SurBbrt for my
proposal. am still hopeful that my
amendment will pass. In spite Of the OPP
position of Secretary Mellon and Mr..
Mcbride. From the many letters and
kilograms I have received since ] In
troduced my amendment. ! am con-
vinced that the views OF Bishops Cannon
and Nicholson and Mr.. Crawford re-
fleet those of the rank and file of the
people who believe In prohibition, which
constitute at least 30 per cent OF the
NANY1lA ~ tha NNl1nkrub