Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-10

Condemnation for prohibition agents
who employ women as spoilers is COM
bined with praise for Director Amos W.
Woodcock for issuing an order that
this work hereafter shall be done by
men. Demand is made for such rep
resentatives Of the Government as shall
be able to meet the demands of the
law in a more legitimate way.
There is something wholesome and
refreshing in the realization that gal
lantry still takes a hand in the game
now and then" asserts the Gary Post
Tribune, with the contention that 1t
is mans business to attend to TINS
warfare" Pointing out that the New
York administrator defended the prac-
tice On the ground that there were
no orders against it." the Omaha
World-Herald states: The missing or
derS have now been issued. The ladies'
are out"
A reported protest by Baltimore bust
ness women on the ground that 1t is
paradoxical that women should be ruled
out of the prohibition picture only when
there is danger of their receiving pay
envelope" inspires the statement by
case. at least, biology is stronger
factor than economies" and the con-
tention that prohibition shopping is
not a nice job at the best, and GER
tainly no harm is done American
women by keeping them out Of it."
Mr.. Woodcock is as much interested
in the decency Of the enforcement
service as in its record for speakeasy
elimination" thinks the New York
Herald Tribune, and that paper com
mentS on the present situation; III is
his hope that a species Of enforcement
which is free from violence or other
scandal will gradually win public CO.
operation in upholding the law: 1t is
a forIorn hope, we believe, but the only
one in the circumstances with any
logic behind It," The Rockford Regis
ter-Republic argues that 1.-The directors
statement that he ought to have fore
seen that this scheme might be adopted
is manly. There will be no more OF It,
GHOST people will agree" in the judg-
rnent of the Davenport Democrat. that
If the present force of dry agents, draw
ing millions of dollars annually from
the Government for their work, are
unable to gather evidence and make
arrests without resorting to the employ
nent of women as stool-pigeons and
snocpers, it is high time that they be
discharged and their places filled by
men competent to perform the work de-
manded of them. Again the suggestion
is made that instead of constantly in
creasing his working forces, as appears
the policy of the administration, Dlrec-
tor Woodcock would benefit more by
looking after the quality and efficiency
of his men, rather than to their num-
Der. His edict against the employment
of women as crime detectors appears
to be start in this direction"
1T is incredible" says the Charleston
IS. CO. Evening Post, that any govern
ment should not only permit but
encourage the employment of girls in
such an occupation. Director Wood
cock has sensibly decreed that no more
shall be used for undercover work. ="
The Pittsburgh PostGazette quotes the
prohibition directors statement that lit
is perfectly horrible that any one should
conceive that that is the way to enforce
prohibition" and that paper adds: But
he decided not to dismiss the agent re-
sponsible, explaining that part of the
blame should be placed on his i'm
mediate superiors. There will be general
agreement with the commissioner S
words, but not his action. If it is
horrible to conceive that that is the
way to enforce prohibition" the indi-
vidual or individuals who had this
bright idea do not belong on the force.
IF the agent directly responsible was
merely following orders, the official