Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-23
League Head Convinced
Complaint Against Hoover
and Mellon Is Wrong.
HOLDS SECRETARY ACTS
AS SUPERIORS DIRECT
Does Not Believe Treasury Head Is
Now Standing in Way
of Prohibition.

By the Associated Press.
The conviction that prohibition was
being enforced more effectively nova
days than under the Coolidge admins
tration was expressed to the Senate lob
by committee today by r. Scott Nc
Bride.
Concluding seven days Of testimony,
the Anti-Saloon League superintendent
was confronted with letter he wrote
last January which said he was con-
WINGED a complainant against President
Hoover and Secretary Mellon was wrong.
There was a time when had some
thing of the same feeling" he wrote.
"But on thorough investigation have
reached the conclusion that Mellon has
gone just as far on prohibition en-
forcement as his superiors wanted him
to 60. and do not believe he is now
standing in the way Of effective pro-
hibition enforcement"
The dry worker informed Senator
Caraway he yet believed Mellon went
just as far as those associated with him
wanted him to CO."
without mentioning names, the Ar
kansas Senator inquired, do you mean
his superior, the Chief Executive?"
Mcbride assented.
He was followed on the stand by Ed
ward B. Dunford, Anti-Saloon League
counsel, who testified its reports to Con-
gress on political expenditures con-
formed with the law.
Mellon Defended.
It was at the outset of today's hear
ing that Mr.. Mcbride informed the
committee that he thought Mr.. Mellon
had gone just as far on prohibition
enforcement as his superiors wanted
him to CO."
The attitude Of the Secretary Of the
Treasury was brought up in questioning
concerning q letter the dry worker
wrote to J. G. Brown of Port Huron,
Mich, on January IL, 1880.
The communication replied to one
by Brown In which he commented on
O radio talk by Mcbride. Brown wrote
mistaken" regarding the sincerity Of
President Hoover. It also criticized MFR.
Mellon.
Replying, Mcbride wrote: 'T note
what you say about Hoover, Mellon.
etc. am convinced you are wrong
In your attitude.
There was time when I had some
thing Of the same feeling, but on
thorough investigation I have reached
the conclusion that Mellon has gone
just as far on prohibition enforcement
as his superiors wanted him to go and
do not believe he is now standing In
the way Of effective prohibition enforce
ment.
II think a thorough investigation
Of the situation will convince you or any
one else as to that matter. I do be-
lieve, however. that the fact that some
of the Senators and other public ON
cials are expressing themselves on this
proposition will lead to q more care
full analysis Of the situation and bring
the whole program to head and help
US to get more definite results.
while progress Is being made very
rapidly, yet at the same time the
situation is not what 1t ought to be
and what 1t will be-"
Reiterates Enforcement Opinion.
Examined on the letter, Mcbride re-
iterated his opinion expressed yesterday
that President Hoover was making
good" on prohibition enforcement. He
said he thought this administration was
doing better than the previous one.
Senator Blaine brought up a telegram
sent by A. C.. Graham of Louisville to
Mcbride last January, which said:
Suggest you get In touch with Hoo
yer, Mitchell and Doran In behalf Of
Sam Collins appointment. Unfavor-
able rumors being circulated here indi-
Gates prompt action necessary"
The witness testified he did not see
the three officials. He said he had not
seen Mr.. Hoover since his Inauguration
and had conferred with Attorney Gem
eral Mitchell only three times.
Senator Blaine, wet, observed to
the league official that he was mot
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