Evening journal., 1917-10-15
VETS AND DRYS' MAY
Debate THE issues.
Some Sort of Agreement
Reached Today But
Not Disclosed
PRESENCE OF WOMEN
ONE POINT INVOLVED


Despite efforts Of both sides to ar
range a debate OF the Issues involved
in the wet" and dry" camapign, rep
resentatlves Of the two campaign com
mlttees are not yet able to announce
date for the debate. The committees
have disagreed on the proposition Of the
"wets" that the debate should be
changed from the subject proposed by
the "dry" committee, Resolved, that
The citizens OF Wilmington should vote
10 make Wilmington dry to the
question proposed by your committee,
Resolved, that the prohibition Of the
manufacture, sale and use OF alcoholic
liquors for beverage purposes Is wrong
In principle, unchristlan In character
and powerless as a remedN for intemper-
ance."
1.-THE Joint conference has reached a
decision. but 70 Will be subject to
change after consultation with two or
three people, so we cannot give It out
today" was the statement made by
Caleb r. Burchenal this noon In behalf
Of the "drys," when asked whether the
debate VIII be held.
In a letter TO Chairman John @.
Stack. Of the license committee,
Chairman Burchenal. of the norlicense
committee. declines to argue on the
academic question OF prohibition gen
orally. at this time, and contends
that the debate should be limited TO
the question as to whether or not
Wilmington should have o license or
no-llcense system.
The wet" advocates contend that,
as this debate is for the benefit OF
voters who will be called upon to de-
eide the question at the ballot box,
none but men should be admitted TO
the debates. while the "dIysH insist
that there shall be no such reserva-
ton made, debates TO be open 10 the
attendance OF any person who desires
TO listen 10 the arguments. Another
source OF dissention is the division
of the time Mr.. Burchenal desiring
its division as follows, which, the
other side contends. would give the
"drys" an advantage which they do
not desire to concede:
The affirmative (drys) 20 open
with a speech OF 80 minutes; the
NEGATIVE 10 follow with a speech. OF
30 minutes; the Affirmative 10 follow
with rebuttal OF 20 Minutes; the
negative with a rebuttal OF 30 min
yates, then allowing the affirmative
ten minutes for closing.
The "drys" also contend That IT th'
i"yvets" desire 20 limit their half OF th'
house 20 men. they may do so. but ina
/ the former reserves the right 90 usl
hts half Of the house as 10 may see III
Admitting the fact that the "drys
are the challcngers, the wet commit
ltee contends that at Is unwarranted pre-
sumption on your part 10 assume tina
YOU also represent the Affirmative !
this contest. We are affirming prin
lciple and that principle is: Resolved
That the prohibition Of the manufag
ture, sale and use Of alcoholic liquor
for beverage purposes IS wrong
principle. un-Christian In character an
powerless as a remedy for iniempeI
anse.' Do you admit you cannot NEE
the issue?
furthermore, the people Of WI
mington affirmed this principle te
years ago and we are advocating IN
dIurndllOn OF lule 5duAt plihNlllo
the present time.
THE people of Wilmington did nc
want this election. but It was force
! upon them by you, "The Dry Party
only two out OF the seven represents
tives of Wilmington signing TIE pet
ton for this election. but in spite
thies you will not defend the issu
you nre trying 10 force on Whining
ton. which we contend is wrong.
you must either defend or adm
, our contention.
Regarding the admission OF Womt
TO hear the debates. the "wets col
tend that "as the ladies Of Delawai
do not vote they would only occur
, space to which voters would be light
|. entitled. Does your committee lhiI
that they could not get a suilcie
number Of male dry supporters 10 a
tend? II this is not the case, what
; your reason on insisting upon tie a
! mission Of ladies'? We will prese
facts, figures, logical and unar swo
able arguments which we fee "
change the opinion Of many whom "
Q count upon as being In your rank B. al
{ consequently change their vote Y
3 want the debate 20 reach the voter
not the ladies. and the debate is d
0 only way in which we could fca
s many Of the 'drys."