Blown Over

Last spring arose a suspicion that two dry-voting Congressmen--Michaelson of Illinois and Morgan of Ohio--had brought liquor-laden baggage through the customs by official "courtesy of the port" (TIME, April 8). The two Representatives were cleared, but the Treasury Department felt that the "courtesy" privilege offered too temptatious an opportunity to homecoming Congressmen. A decree was issued abolishing both the "free entry" allowed Congressmen traveling on official business, and the "immediate attention" accorded to those returning from unofficial foreign sojourn.

Low lay the Treasury Department all summer. Homecoming legislators took their turns for customs inspection, opened every trunk and bag, paid duty on every taxable trinket. Last week Assistant Secretary Lowman feeling that the disturbance had thoroughly blown over, issued a new order, again granting "courtesy-of-the-port" to Congressmen. Newspapers fumed editorially about "unAmerican favoritism," while jubilant Congressmen, returning from abroad for the impending session of the House, jaunted through the customs in their old, carefree way.