, 1934-12-11
WASHINGTON
BY George Durno

Error-Those concerned are ra-
pidly discovering that political in
tluence doesn't cut any ice around
the Narcotics Bureau.
a few days back DR.. Edward
Huntington williams OF Los An
geles. n OF the founders Of the
American College OF Surgeons, was
convicted by a jury for issuing mar
cottc prescriptions TO addicts not
in accordance with professional
practice.
williams was a defense alieniSt
In the famous Massie trial in Ha-
vail.
One or the character witnesses
for the doctor was Mayor Frank
Shaw or Los Angeles. The prose-
cutting attorney, on croSs-examina-
ton, asked Shaw why he had
made a trip 10 WaShingtn 10 see
Deputy Commissioner Of Narcotics
Louis Ruppel. The mayor replied
he had seen Ruppel and the latter
had told him Williams was being
prosecuted on a technical viola
ton which probably would not
hold.
Ruppel at this moment was In
Honolulu on official business. APP
prised OF the mayors testimony.
the deputy commissioner cabled
back 10 Los Angeles a statement
Shaw had attempted TO use the
power Of his office TO prevent DR..
williams prosecution. He reported
further to Assistan. u. ). Attor-
ney Jack Irwin that Williams
brother. accompanied BY a retired
rear admiral, had called thereafter
in an effort to call off proSecu-
ton.
And finally. Ruppel cabled, VIII
liams' brother prevailed on an Of
fetal Of the Democratic National
Committee to intercede. When
the Democratic official learned
the facts, went the trans-Pacific
wire. he apologized for interfering.
This message was read 10 the
jury and probably had much TO do
with their verdict.
ParoIe-Last year Deputy Com
missioner Ruppel discovered BY &C.
cident that a Democratic Nation
al Committeeman was pulling wires
10 have a New York dope peddler,
found in possession OF a ton Of
opium. paroled.
Ruppel turned the public eye to-
ward his fellow party-man. II the
peddler would reveal the names Of
his bosses in the racket there was
no objection 10 his parole. Other
wise there was plenty. The man
served out his sentence.
Narcotics Commissioner Harry y.
AnSlinger has been backing his
somewhat youthful assistant. a for
mer New York newspaper man,
Ito the limit in his resistance 10
political pressure.
Ironing-Organized labor. as rep
resented by President William
Green and the Washington head
quarters OF the American Fedora
ton OF Labor, Is making a lot OF
the moment.
The unionists actually are emu
lating the Spartan who failed 70
make an outcry while a wolf be-
meath his cloak gnawed at his
chest.
Before Green's Summarily called
convention Of his Building Trades
column forecast that the labor
movement was headed straight into
a major internal crisis. Suisse
Quent Developments bore this pre-
diction out. The Carpenters, Brick
layers and Electrical Workers came
back 10 take charge Of the Build
ing Trades Department while a
dozen smaller unions walked out.
Latest dope from the front Is
that Green and his coordinator
are working night and day to bring
about a compromiSe-wlth fair
promise Of success.
A. r. Of L. masterminds have un-
I'll January 20 70 accomplish their
purpose. on that date the newly
enlarged Executive Council of the
Federation meets for the first time.
Before last October'S convention II
was composed OF II members. who
came from numerically small un-
ions. Now there are 10 members
and the big fellows are in the sad
die.
Should they so decide the wctori-
Gus Carpenters, BricklayerS and
Electrical Workers undoubtedly
could bring about a final ratifica-
ton Of their ousting Of the little
fellows.
Frost-There Is a Washington
lawyer who breathed a deep sigh
OF relief when Dutch Shultz, c
Of the New York racketmen, turned
himself in 10 stand trial q Ia Ca
pone on a federal income tax eva
sion charge.
The reason: This attorney had
taken Dutch" for $4,000 and cx-
penSes back In the Hoover admin
istration TO straighten out the case.
He got no action before March 4,
1888, and ever since Mr.. Roosevelt
has been in office the lawyer has
wondered nightly whether a pine
apple would explode IN his vesti-
bule or a machine gun would spray
in his face.
The barrister shouldn't have been
so worried. After administrations
changed an emiSsary OF Schultz
came to Washington looking for a
new attorney who was close 10 the
New Deal. He offered I'd put $780,
900 in escrow for the mouthpicee'
who could fix things. he explained
Dutch already had the bite put
on him for 70 grand In this town.
They may think he's q dumb cluck
i hfrf he airrf q uprhpr -