Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-14
rum DEBATE SEEN
ON 500 NEW AGENTS.
Request for Funds to Increase
Dry Force Will Bring Issue
Before Congress.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.

1uulCdJlOHS To-Day were tIldt dCoPlIS
efforts to keep the prohibition problem
from becoming a paramount issue in
the present Congress, vets and drys are
going to have a good deal to say on the
question when the appropriation bill
carrying a request for 500 new agents
comes up for consideration.
Testimony before the Subcommittee
of the House of Representatives consid-
priation bill has now been revealed and
will furnish the basis of cross-examina-
ton and debate.
The policy of the Federal Govern
ment as at present outlined is to strike
at the large ViolatorS rather than the
petty cases.
Although the Wickersham report has
not been made public it is evident that
the administration is depending upon
that document to bolster up its re-
quest for more money to handle prohi-
bition violators. Whatever else the
Wickersham report may say, it is fully
expected to argue for more enforce
ment machinery.
The request being made by the De-
partment of Justice for more agents is
proof of the belief of the Attorney Cen
eral that irrespective of the general
about prohibition, the duty
of the Department of Justice is to go
ahead with its program of Enforcement
and make it as effective as possible.
Increased Personnel Needed.
Attorney General Mitchell testified
hat the keystone OF the whole request
Tor funds is the prohibition personnel.
Detailed analysis of the need for in
gestigators to check up the material
given by the Attorney General to the
House Appropriations Committee. 1t
vas an executive session, but the COM
nittee later made available certain in
formation as to the views of the Attor-
hey General
There are large commercial viola
IONS" he testified, that are not
brought to book. / do not think there
an be any difference of opinion about
he fact that judging from what we all
Know of the situation we need at least
cannot reasonably absorb and train
more than 500 new agents in our force
n the coming fiscal year.
We are trying to improve the quality
of the force, to improve their efficiency
and their ability to do their work
promptly, economically, and in such
way as to avoid criticism"
Vets Favor Increase.
The vets are inclined to grant the
increases because they want to prove
that prohibition is unenforceable. 1t is
already apparent that more prohibition
agents are going to be required in the
wet States, particularly those which
either have or expect to repeal the
State enforcement statutes.
Representative Tinkham of Massachu-
;etts, one of the wet leaders, has pointed
)ut that more agents will be needed in
he wet States and the Attorney General
n his testimony described conditions
n the vicinity of the District of Column
,ia and the fact that there was a large
amount of liquor coming into the city
If Washington from the neighboring
vet State of Maryland.
Right here in the District OF Column
,ia,' said the Attorney General, more
liquor is being handled than there
should be- 1t all boils down to the fact
hat over in Maryland in certain coun-
les where there is no State assistance,
he liquor is being manufactured and 1t
gets into what call the channels of
.rade in such quantities it can be put
nto automobiles for transportation and
lie law OOSS IlOJ dllOW 10 W o0OP AiOOOA
,ars without a warrant, based on prob
Ible cause.
Automobile Problem Difficult.
1.-THE automobile problem is a diff
,ult one. The result is that in order
to protect neighboring territory the
Federal Government has to try to get
It the sources of the liquor and in
crease the number of agents in wet
States to prevent the manufacture of
liquor there to be transported into
States. 1t Is like the drug
business, only to less degree. think
hose that have been interested in the
irug conditions realize that once mar
,otic drugs get into the channels OF
rade it is very difficult to control them.
You have to get back to the source"
This line of argument by the Attorney
General unquestionably will be the basis
or an attack by the drys on those who
we're advocating repeal of the eight |
zenith amendment so that the States
nay decide for themselves what they
will do about prohibition Mr.. Nit
hell is emphasizing the difficulties that
would arise if certain States we're per-
nitted to be wet while others had dry
avs. Before the present session of
Congress is over prohibition will be
ound to have consumed as much time |
Is any of the other issues, and while it |
S not expected to delay the appro- |
oriation bill carrying more funds for
it will furnish both Houses
with an opportunity to discuss the
whole prohibition question.
NEW DELAY is FACED.