Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-17
STATES IN REVOLT,
CURRAN TEST|F|ES
Tells Lobby Probers Five
Are Openly Against
Prohibition Law.
Continued From First Page.)

he Sdlu
would not support a dry.
Curran said he obtained his informa-
ton about Montana from the 1925 and
1928 election returns.
In 1928, he added, the association
appropriated $40, 600 for the prohibition
referendum.
Senator Robinson, Republican, In
diana, remarked that the association
had collected $4,000 during the first
two months of this year and $152 900
had been contributed from Delaware,
New York, Pennsylvania and Illinois.
Curran said the five States he men,
toned had repealed State enforcement
laws.
Foolish to Lobby in Washington.
Curran reiterated that his organiza-
ton did no lobbying" in Washington.
Does that mean you do lobbying
outside of Washington" Walsh asked.
Curran said the organization some
times sent men to State capitols to
inquire into prohibition legislation.
Il think it would be foolish to lobby
in Washington" he asserted.
Curran said the association MAIN
tanned two offices in Westinghouse
|
liam H. Stayton, chairman Of the board.
Curran said pamphlets and literature
Of the association were sent to members
of Congress and there was little cor
respondence with them, but that 1t was
not initiated by the organization.
Caraway read a memorandum OF the
association which quoted Representa-
tive La Guardia, Republican, New York,
as saying that Curran should not APP
| committee lnVPGTl-
eating prohibition because he isn't big
enough"
"That goes for stayton. too," the
memorandum added.
Curran Says He Grew.
| When the reference to Curran was
read part of the large audience burst
! into applause.
Eyes grew and grew" Curran re-
marked sniilingly as the audience
! Senator Walsh read some CORE
! spondence concerning a recent anti-pro-
| nibition speech delivered IN the senate
| by Senator Tydings of Maryland. 1t
| said the association was aiding In 3D.
tanning publicity for the speech. ~,
Are you going 10 distribute ~
Walsh demanded.
Il don't know" Curran said
! Asked IL the association supported
any candidates other than members OF
| Congress, Curran said this action was
taken occasionally"
Senator Walsh read a letter sent by
! Curran to Nicholas Murray Butler,
president Of Columbia University, wet,
asking him to send a telegram to
| Representative John w. Reamer of New
| York urging him to support prohibition
| legislation before the New York LegiS-
lature.
Holds This Is Turning Point"
Curran said that the people were
three to one against prohibition and
Congress was three to one for prohibi-
! ton.
This is the dryest Congrest we have
ever had" Curran continued. This Is
the bottom of the hill-this Is the turn
ing point"
Questioned about reports made by
Carter Field, who was not further
Identified, Curran said he had been
paid S625 a month for the last five or
six months to make political investiga-
tons.
Reading from reports of the associa-
ton, Robinson said So contributors last
year had given 1921 200, or more than
rs per cent of the total amount.
1.-The revolution you were talking
about doesn't extend TO the pocket
books" Robinson said.
Revolution in Ballot Box"
"The revolution is in the ballot box, -
| Curran replied.
Robinson read a report made by Field
on Maryland which said:
Personally, would be inclined TO put
the reelection of Gov. Richie, includ-
| ing the denomination, first
Second, hold Cole in the second dis
trict :,
MFR, Beck in the first district himself
regards the district as dry, so l am not
excited about that.
I'm the sixth district, in the fight on
Zihlman, am told by Mr.. Shanberger
that the probable Democratic nominee,
Fuller Barnard, has not stated MS posi-
ton but Is wet.
Now If a primary fight between
Barnard and David j. Lewis should en-
sue 1t might be q good idea to sup
port Barnard, providing he gives the
proper assurances.
But unless he is willing to do this
openly 1t seems to me very little would
be gained. 1t Is an uphill fight any
how, for Davy Lewis has always been
very strong in the District"
Cites Prohibition Slayings.
Curran started his testimony with the
charge that some of the reports by Gov
eminent agents Of prohibition SlaytngS
did not fully represent the facts.
He added that the agents reported
killings to save their own skins" and
said Assistant Secretary Lowman, in
charge of prohibition enforcement Tor
the Treasury accepted the reports.
Appearing for the second day, Cur
ran said the principal activity OF his
association was assembling and dlstri-
button of prohibition Information.
Questioned by Senator Walsh, he
testified there was mo concealment o.
facts that come to our knowledge"
Walsh asked If the association COM
piled statistics concerning the 9umoer
OF persons killed by prohibition agents.
I'VE do, and 1t seems to us constd-
cradle number" Curran replied.
Have you ever reported that the
person killed was shot while engaged In
violating the law and endeavoring to
resist arrest" Walsh demanded.
Curran said Government reports had
been used and I'VE have faithfully fol-
lowed those reports" he added, saying
Government agents usually reported
that persons killed were engaged in
violating the law and in resisting arrest.
Scans Pamphlet Of Association.
Curran looked through pamphlet
called Reforming America With Shot
gun" issued by his association, but
was unable Immediately to flnd any
case where it was reported by the or
ganization that the killing was justi-
fed.
Pressed by Chairman Caraway to
state whether the association reported
prohibition agents killed by bootleggers
Curran said he would have to look
through the literature of the organiza-
ton.
II don't think vou know ANYTHING -