Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-14
Committee on Expenditures
Gets Proposal introduced
by Its Chairman.
TARIFF MAY BLOCK
ACTION IN SENATE
Presidents Message, Mellon and
Mitchell Memoranda Referred
to Judiciary Group.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

The legislative wheels were set in
motion on Capitol Hill today to carry
into effect the program submitted yes
terday by President Hoover for more
efficient prohibition enforcement.
The bill to transfer to the Depart
ment of Justice the investigation and
preparation of prohibition cases from
the Treasury Department was intro
duced in the House by Representative
Williamson of South Dakota, chairman
of the committee on expenditures in
the executive departments.
1t was referred promptly to his COM
mittee, which is expected to give it
early consideration. Other measures
dealing with the various proposals Of
the President will be prepared by other
committees of the House. Draft sug-
gestions for them were included in the
supplementary report of the Law En-
forcement Commission, which was sent
to Congress yesterday by the President.
Prohibition Bureau is Set Up.
The Williamson bill set up in the
Department of Justice a bureau OF pro-
hibition, with director and assistant
director to be appointed by the Attor-
neS General All the attorneys, officers
Bureau in the Treasury Department
are transferred without change to the
Department of Justice. The director
would be paid $4,000 yearly.
The duties of the Attorney General
in the enforcement of prohibition are
incorporated in the bill, and the rights
and powers in this connection now pos
sessed by the Secretary of the Treasury.
The Attorney General is charged with
the investigation of violations Of the
prohibition act and also with violations
Of the internal revenue laws, the appfe-
hension and seizure of offenders and
the seizure and enforcement Of all
forfeitures unScr these laws. The At
torney General and the Secretary Of
the Treasury are jointly TO prescribe all
regulations under this act and the pro-
hibition act.
The present prohibition bureau Of
the Treasury Department Is TO be known
hereafter as the bureau of narcotics
and Industrial alcohol. The prohibition
commissioner Is given the title OF COM
missioner of narcotics and industrial
alcohol. This makes place for Com
missioner Doran to continue on In the
Treasury Department.
Provides for Quick Transfer.
The proposed transfer to the Depart
ment of Justice of the prohibition en-
forcement is to become effective on the
first day of the second month following
the approval of the bilk
Mr. Williamson declared his bill to
j be In line with the recommendations Of
the President. He added:
THE creation of prohibition bureau
in the Justice Department puts an end
to divided responsibility for enforce
ment and affords greater opportunity TO
develop trained personnel, which Will
operate under the direction of the At
torney General A more careful adj
herence to the law by enforcement
agents and Improvements in the gather
ing and submission of evidence by them
may be expected"
Williamson said hearings would be
arranged on the measure soon with
view to reporting out the bill in tie
near future"
THE leaders in the House." he said,
"have given assurance that the decks
will be cleared so that prompt consid-
Grafton may be had when the bill
reaches the calendar"
The commissions draft Of legislation
to define casual or slight violations"
of the prohibition laws, which might
ton instead of grand jury indictment,
and which might be heard by United
States commissioners, follows:
For the purposes OF prosecution. the
following shall be deemed casual or
slight violations: ID Unlawful pos
session. ~ single sales of small quanti-
ties by persons not engaged in hahitual
violation of the law, 80 unlawful max
ing of small quantities where no other
person is employed, ca assisting in
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