Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-07
VETS AND 'DRYS'
GATHER FOR FIGHT
Liquor Question Bids Fair
to Develop Into Real
Scrap
LOBBYISTS AT CAPITAL
Battle Against Adoption of
Prohibition Measure by Leg
islature Is On
LOBBYISTS AT CAPITAL

Harrisburg, Jan. 7--"Pennsyivauia
leeislatures twill not pass a prohibition
resolution and enough States will stand
! by IT to defeat nationwide prohibition"
This statement. the most positive as
sertion yet made by the "wcts" was
| hurled into the camp of the prohibitions
lists today by r. j. O'Connor. president
OF the Pennsylvania Federation Of
Liquor Dealers.
Despite the frantic efforts of certain
elements in tho Republican party. the
booze question is playing the stellar role
at the capital and bids fair to develop
into the real big scrap Of the session.
SO exercised are the leaders of the
wet forces that the "drys" will out
general them that they are mobiIiaing for
action. \ story in yesterdays EVENING
PUBLIC LEDGER which served warning
upon the Republican leaders that the
"drys" would refuse to tolerate obstruc- |
tive tactics stirred the liquor men They
immediately got busy in the work of
organizing for genuine fight. /,
Lobbyists on Hand
How this will develop is merely a mat !
ter of conjecture, for neither side is /
willing TO disclose its plan of action. ,
That the liquor men are frightened is
apparent, for a force OF lobbyists is on
hand to corral votes in the House and
Senate.
It is interesting to note that O'Con-
nors organization held a meeting last
night in the Hotel Plaza and that other
contemplated similar ac.
tion but at the eleventh hour called off |
the meetings. Neil Bonner had engaged
reservations at the Plaza but Cancelled
them last night
our meeting" said Mr.. O'Connor
has no connection with the proposed
OF the executive committee. 1t was
routine affair but by an odd coincidence
was held IN lIarr sburg. You know, We
are greatly interested in the matter Ot
violations of the liquor laws
and also in the matter Of drawing better
men into the liquor business. | do not
fear hastY action on the part of the {
and am confident that the :
legislature will heed the wishes of the !
people in this state
When questioned concerning the ac- ;
ion of the Republican party in indors- ,
ng the campaign platform of Governor /
'lsCt Sproul which contained prohihi-
ion plank Mr.. O'Connor asserted that !
he Republican party did not bind it. t
ef to Mr. Sprouts personal platform |
THE party" he said, "is free to act :,
Is IL deems best As party ii is not
pledged to prohibition" =
Although the liquor men are endcav-
BRING to postpone action on the prohib-
ion resolution, the dry forces are de-
tcrmincd to have the issue disposed Of
n the early days Of the session.
Confident of No Delay
We cannot introduce the resolution" {
aid John w. Nickerman, House floor q
eader Tor the 'drys, until the organi- |
iation Of committees. for the resolu- ,
ion must follow course similar 10 =
nat Of bill Personally. | don't be- l.
ieve the Republican leaders will be =
ooiish enough 20 delay the measure.
hey cannot afford to do that in view
L N" stand taken on prohibition by
iovernor-elect Sproul And l am CON r
dent that We Will win" r
That the "Grys" are going to stay on S
he job until the measure is disposed of q
vas made plain today by Charles +. c
swift, state superintendent Of the Anti. {
saloon League. H. NJ. Chalfant. of
Philadelphia editor of the American Is h
'' 49, -1'A'''''N4p''A lsrds ne organ, Is N
also here. Other dry" leaders will be r
N hand when the sessions gets down
o business. ,
pennsylvania recorded an over
'helming vote in favor of nation-wide
said Mr. ChalfauL today.
and, despite the Efforts Of the whisky
ire, We will win
ON the liquor si1e of the Legislature
he argument is put forward that the !
1trodurtion cf the prohibition rssulu- a
ion VIII cmharrass the new Governor n
nd possibly interfere with social vel ,
are Legislation in which Mr.. Sgruu! is =.
italy interested.
one Of the odd features of the fight ami -
ma that Is causing much iubiNatiou in =
hr camp Of tho "drys" Is the face that !
he liquor men are doing their lobbying +
n the oNicc Of tho Pcun-Iiurris Hotel u
his hotel Is a new Institution and as "
dry' as any section pf the great sahara h
i4t the legislators have adopted il MS y
heir now huuu ana 20 talk reason 20 :,
he hoys' the liquor men are forced % i
20 ther". .
with the exception Of O'rounor, 'ur ID
liquor men are not talking for pInIca- -
Jon hut rtsor'Hg to Eum-shOr methods \
y one upstate member of rnn House .,
'ut 1t today, II have been approached r,
W"n'N times 10y the liquor mon and fifty u
ime. b} th, dr}s ! shall watch develop %
utNts, nu' shall not commit myself until
the vote ,. 'rEcn.' That statement is I,
good lHd"E concerning the feeling of %
considerable number of 'hc legislators p
The "drys,' although claiming victory.
.r" no, certain Of - majority and need
approximately twenty votes to assure
he success Of the resolution u