The Washington times., 1930-02-21
BACKING CROWS
FOR SWEEPING
INQUIRY
Continued from Page 1.)

NoneInued on rage 4. CoA. ~
cause Of several former arrests
while he wSs alleged to have been
in the act of delivring alcoholic
countraband to festive Senators.
{ One of the Senatorial bally.
lhoos which wanted to find out
who the customers Of these two
alleged bootleggers were 81 said
to be very cool toward the pro.
posal to find out what is the
matter with the upper crust" Of
prohibition enforcement machin-
cry. or as to whether or not the
prohibition laws are enforceable,
Spies ThrOng Capitol
It is well known that spies
from the prohibition unit re-
Eently have been infesting Capt.
fol Hill. On the day that Sena-
&or Burton K. Wheeler of Mon,
4ana introduced his resolution to
Investigate all phases Of prohibt
zion enforcement, an armed pro-
31ibition agent was caught with
his ear to the Senator's door,
while another was lurking in the
corridor nearby.
; Aprohibition spy also reported
promptly a visit Of Capt. Frank
s. Flynn to the office Of Sen.
William E. Borah, Of Idaho, which
dismissal as a law clerk in the
prohibition unit, without q civil
service trial.
On last Tuesday Cassidy and
Goldberg were arrested after they
apparently had walked right in
agents who were waiting on the
steps of the Senate Office Build
ing.
Immediately a ballyhoo began
in the Senate to investigate
and find out who their Sena-
torial customers were to have
drown out the demand for a
investigation of the administra-
ton of the prohibition laws,
professional drys admit is badly
broken down.
With Senate drys threatening
:, to blow the lid off" the Federal
Hrahibition enforcement regime
and House modificationists claim
ing they are doing it, Congress
faced the sessions most bitter
row next week.
Both Senators Norros (RO Of
Nebraska, and Wheeler CD OF
Montana were pleading with col
leagues for a preliminary hear
ing" to show the necessity of
adopting their resolutions for a
nationwide investigation of dry
law enforcement.
They claimed they would pre-
sent startling evidence to the
Senate Judiciary Committee to
Justify tehir proposals.
Busy on House Side
ii. House vets, having presented
witnesses of prominence before
the Judiciary Committee testify
Ing that prohibition enforcement
has broken down in city and
rural sections alike, were gather
1ng more evidence to be laid be-
fore the committee next week.
The insist tence of Norris,
Wheeler and many other leading
drys indicated the Senate Ju-
dietary Committee may authorize
the proposed inquiry on Monday.
The Norris resolution apparently
was favored over Wheeler'S, which
contained serious charges against
the present enforcement regime
Administration drys thus far
have maintained a passive oppo-
Eition on the ground that the in
quiry would serve no useful pur.
pose, since enforcement is being
transferred to the Justice Depart.
Enent.
Representative Linthicum DD
Of Maryland, chairman of the
House wet bloc" was enthusias.
tic over the House hearings on
Sepeal or modification of the
eighteenth amendment.
Somewhat disappointed that
Gen. w. w. AtterSury, president
Of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and
p. S. DUPONT, Wilmington DelJ
capitalist, had been unable to
reach washington Tor the hear
4ngS, he promised to present them
next week.
Ex-Chief Of Police Collins and
at least one other prominent Chi.
cagoan will be called, Representa-,
tive SABBATH O0 Of Illinois an
nounced.
Linthicum said wet leaders had
been overwhelmed with offers to
testify before the House commit
tee.
The wet bill hearings" have
revealed a remarkable growth in
organizations being formed to
fight prohibition. A half dozen
groups backed by wealthy people
have sprung up within the last
few months. All claim they are
growing rapidly.