Evening star., 1933-02-13
V|G|LANTES HOPE
TO DRY UP CAPITAL
Volunteer Undercover Agents
to Watch Southern
Maryland Roads.

In an effort to dry up Washington
for the inaugural, new dry organiza.
ton, known as the New Vigilantes oi
America, Is planning to plant watcher,
on all roads coming into Washington
from Southern Maryland, to spot liquor
cars and report them to police. and will
augment this work with undercover
agents working in Washington, 1t was
announced today by Edward Page Gas.
ton, commander of the organization.
I've been where bullets were flying
and bombs dropping, and I'm not afraid
of these Southern Maryland MOON
sinners" Capt. CASTOR said today, In
outlining the plans of his new organi-
zation to augment the police and pro-
hibition agents activities against liquor
makers and sellers
Capt. CASTOR, who has opened head
quarters at 1416 F street, revealed the
Vigilantes will bring to Washington
within few days, IAN ex-police COM
missioner Of a large CITY," and two
undercover agents trained to the work
OF turning up law violators, to get to
the Nation OF a dry Capital for the
inaugural.
Volunteer Help Sought.
Meanwhile, the organization will con-
duct q campaign for volunteer workers
to aid the undercover men, and to
watch the sources Of Washington's
liquor supply.
said, seems to be the center Of moon
shining, night-riding and other lawless
activities. II necessary, we'n go right
into the stronghold Of the moonshiners
and turn them over to the authorities.
However, the reports I have now
seem to indicate that the necessity of
cutting off the southern Maryland
liquor supply is not so great as is the
necessity Of stopping the distilling,
brewing and other activities in
which bootleggerS and other foes of law
enforcement are engaged right here in
Washington"
Somebody" he added, "is going to
get hurt when we start work"
Issuing q call for 250, 900 new volun-
teers for the vigilants, Capt. CASTOR
announced the minimum membership
fee IS 81 a year for adults and so cents
for those under 81.
Endorsed BY Dry Leaders.
Capt. CASTOR said his organization
has received the Endorsement Of Sen
ator Morris Sheppard Of Texas, author
of the District prohibition law, and
Senator Arthur Capper, chairman of
the Senate District Committee In
dorsement also has been given the plan
to dry-up Washington for the inaugural
by the Washington Citizens Service
Association for Law and Order, of which
DR.. Everett M. Ellison Is president.
Others who have given their support,
said Capt. CASTOR, are Mrs. Henry w.
Peabody, chairman Of the Women's
National Committee for Law Enforce
ment; Canon william Sheafe Chase,
superintendent of the International Re-
form Bureau, and Mrs. Jesse w. Mich
olson, head Of the Women's Democratic
Law Enforcement League.
Leading women Of America purpose
making representations to Mrs. Roose-
welt, asking that she exert her influ-
ence for dry Inauguration, and that
the White House operate on total abb
stinence principles during her regime, I"
said Capt. CASTOR.
VIII Enroll vigilantes.
1--WE are out to enroll hundreds Of
vigilantes volunteers who will watch
for violations of the District prohibition
law before and during the Inauguration,
and prompt police action is planned.
Some of the District officials are espe-
cially friendly to enforcement, as are
also Department of Justice officials
whose duty it is to enforce the law,
with whom have talked.
"As secrecy is SO large an element
in our work, we do not publish the
names of our workers. Letters are
promptly burned, when so desired, and
our secret telegraphic and telephone
codes are changed frequently to preven,
leakage. Reports are signed by num-
Der and not by name, as an added pro-
lection against personal reprisals by
liquor outlaws"