Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-22
Reasons for Withholding
Data Are Demanded From
Wickersham Body.
PROHIBITION REPORTS
PRESENT VARIED ARRAY
Public Statements Called "Rosier"
Than Private Ones as 80 States
Are Surveyed.

BY the Associated Press.
A demand upon the Wickersham
Commission for more of its prohibition
data came yesterday from a Senate
already loaded with a conflicting mass
Of testimony as to prohibition condi-
tons in 80 States.
The Senate adopted without debate a
resolution by Senator Tydings, Demo-
crat, Maryland, an opponent of pro-
hibition, demanding the commissions
reasons for withholding any informa-
ton as to prohibition enforcement In
the 10 other States and the District OF
Columbia.
Earlier, word had come from COM
mission headquarters that less than
half" the data upon which its conflict
ing prohibition report was based had
been submitted to the Senate and that
the portion transmitted was the less
sensational part.
Reports Are Varied.
One commissioner explained this as
arising from "a natural Discrimination"
on the part of some witnesses to paint
a roster picture" in public statements
than in private aff1davits. The COM
mission was requested in the previous
Senate resolution only for its mon
secret" data.
Meanwhile a survey of the material
already before the Senate disclosed a
bewildering variety of reports upon con-
ditions in the 80 States touched upon.
Prohibition enforcement conditions In
six States were aSsailed as extremely
bad, with one, Wisconsin, pictured as
provided with flood of intoxicants"
Eleven Of the States, however. were
described as having almost entirely sat
isfactory enforcement. with liquor avail
able, but In an apparently diminishing
quantity.
Present Conditions Criticized.
Reports to the commission on IS
States showed a confusing difference OF
opinions as to conditions, with all sub
ject to some form of criticism as TO
conditions under dry laws.
Among the States not included in the
surveys we're several generally con-
coded to be wet" in sentiment, includ-
ing New York, Maryland, Massachu-
sets and New Jersey.
The most sensational report sub
mitted was that upon Wisconsin. 1t
stated fatty Liquor has always been
plentiful" there, and listed hotels and
Shops near Milwaukee where 1t said
large scale gambling was conducted
which police undoubtedly do not dare
molest'; corruption among officials and
the permitted existence in some cities
of open red light districts" The re-
port was prepared by Frank Buckley,
attorney for the Prohibition Bureau be-
fore its transfer to the Justice Depart
ment
Sensational Charges Made.
THE sheriff of Milwaukee County
has the best intentions in the world,
the report said, "and furnishes as
sistance whenever required. The latter
officer. however, is not regarded as
dependable because of being himself al
most constantly intoxicated. During
the Republican celebration at Nippon
two persons out of 10000 were drunk,
one of whom was the sheriff.
Most towns and cities Throughout
the State contain their allotment OF
soft drink parlors' duly licensed as such
by local authorities. Beer, whisky or
shine may be obtained in practically
any of such resorts"
Oklahoma Governor Blamed.
A report upon Oklahoma charged
former Gov. Holloway directly with re-
sponsibility for lax enforcement, adding
that the attitude of officials in some
sections was vicious" while in other
counties there were stills in operation
and bootlegging fourishing."
The Kentucky report told of wide
spread drinking among young people,
while one witness charged the wealthy
classes with offensive" drinking
A similar report of general dry law
breaking among the rich came from
Florida where it was said that "a free
spending sporting class in these places
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