PROHIBITION.

Hokitika Guardian, 29 October 1924, Page 3

PROHIBITION.

EN KO IK'EM ENT J) E F EAT ED. NEW VO It K, October 22. Odieial admission that corrupt politics defeat the enforcement of Prohibition is contained in a remarkable letter front the hand of Mrs .Mabel Willebrnndt, Federal Assistant Attorney, charging senators and minor politicians with declining to dislodge unworthy officials. “There are nine or ton Federal-At-torneys,’’ says Mrs Willobrandt, "whom if I had power, T would summarily remove for their inactivity or political evasiveness in enforcing the Prohibition statutes.” Mrs Willobrandt is generally respon- • siblo for enforcement. The letter was a reply to a charge by the Philadelphia Law Enforcement League, which laid the failure of enforcement at her door. Her reply points out that she is unable to enforce the law because of influence. The letter is causing a political sensation. Furthermore, it embarrasses , tne Adminstration, because it contradicts .Monday’s report by the Prohibition Commissioner (.Mr Haynes), who, reviewing three years’ enforcement, declared Prohibition offences wore declining, and announed, the total seizures to be 39,000,000 gallons of liquors and gavo the number of arrests as 177,000 resulting in 91,300 convictions and 18,000,000 dollars in fines. The letter is written on stationery of the Department of Justice, yet in the conclusion classes itself a personal. This has caused wide Democratic attacks upon th Adminstration. PROW RITI ON ENFORCEMENT. CORRUPTION IN U.S.A. [Received this day at 9 a.m.) WASHINGTON, October 27. Mrs Willebrnndt’B charges of dereliction in the prohibition enforcement (cabled 22nd) was confirmed by Attor-ney-General Stone, who, after conferring with President Coolidgo, announced that Mrs Willebrnndt’s disclosures hail already resulted in the resignations of six Federal attorneys and the impending retirement of four others. .Mr Stone added that Mrs M dlehrnndl’s letter has caused a great intensification of enforcement throughout the country. Moreover, the Department of Justice has been investigating the charges of lax enforcement, acting whenever conditions warranted Mr Stone declines to disclose the identities of those who have resigned.