The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-27
POLITICS SEEN IN
WILSON BEER PLEA
Canadians at Prohibition Con-
gress in Toronto Ex-
press Views.
THINK HE COURTS LABOR
Leaders Confident Federal
Amendment Will Not
Be Affected.

TORONTO, Canada, May o7.-Tha, poll-
tics fs back of President wilson's reocnt
prohibitionist vfews ana that he also
may have In mind the labor vote are
ninted at by several OF the prominent
Amerfcan delegates who are In Canada
THIS week attending q series OF worlds
prohibition conferences being beiS AZ
Ottawa and Toronto, ana at which rem
resentatives from British and European
points attended.
BY coincidence the Presidents meg
sage to Congress and these Conventions
happened the same week, ana tnterert
was naturally drawn to the measaee of
the Chief Executive.
"he Presidents utterances were not
discussed at any public sessions, hut
both at the Canadian capital and Mt
toronto some of the American Delegates
wero interviewed.
"As far as tho President In concerned.
u Ii due to just one thing" said DR.. 8.
Il. Nicholson. secretary and Organiser
or the Anti-Saloon League of America
The act was enacted as a food oonser-
ntion measure, although II takes in the
QUESTION OF efficiency in the army, The
need Tor FOOD conservation has gone by
Tor the most part, and think the Pros
toent's Thought In the main was that the
necessity for the law has largely rome
0y. I don't think the labor situation
had anything to do with It I feel quite
sure, however, that the prohibition ele-
ment In the United States, generally
speaking, Will not accept his viewpoint"
Says He PIsys Politics.
II think Or. Nicholson in his state
ment has been playing safe, and In most
n An
case of President Wilson," stated Robert
Davey, counsel and superintendent OF the
law enforcement branch OF the Anti-Sa-
loon League OF New York. II am afraid
the President has been not a little in
nuenced by political situations. The Re-
publican party Is In the majority IN both
houses at the present time, and Mr. Will
sons record up to the present time will
justify the conclusion that in putting this
action up to the opposition party he is
not unmindful OF the effect it may have
in the elections of 1920"
Mr.. Davey said that Senator Sheppard,
author OF the prohibition constitutional
amendment in the Senate and the pro-
hioition leader in the Senate, as we'll
rs fellow Democrat with President
Wilson, said that Congress would not
accept the Presidents lead on this ques-
ton. The same sentiment had been
echoed by other leaders in both houses
OF Congress and in both parties
E. S. Caswell expressed surprise at the
Presidential message. 'I think his atti-
tude will cause surprise, not only in his
own country, but outside of It," said
Mr.. Caswell. cit seems SO contrary to
the spirit OF the times. and to our eon-
ception of President Wilson in his atti-
tude toward social reform"
THE aCtiOO of fha preaidanf ta l.
IDENTIFY concession TO the labor in
terests." opined Samuel Graves p-esi-
dent OF the Ottawa City Temperance Al
lance, but the chances are that in view
II the fact that fortY-five out of forty
eight States have registered their con-
'iction in favor OF prohibition. which
will come into force January !, 1920,
Congress will reject the repeal. backed
As they will be by the solid public opin-
on Of more than three-fourths OF the
republic"
Dodges Responsibility.
Congress gave the President author
ty TO suspend or repeal the wartime
measure whenever in his discretion de-
warranted IT He has seen
II TO throw the responsibility back 10
Congress, as far rs ii respects wine and
beer" said the Rev. William Kettlewen.
This does not spell reaction The
partial measure OF repeal is better than
he full measure, and 1t in no wise al
tects the making OF the constitutional
effbctive on or about Janu-
AIRY l, 1920. Bone dry prohibition is
safe. The new Congress Is probably
stronger on the constitutional amend |
nent than the old one"
Whatever our opinion, We do not |
'eel justified in criticising the action of |
leader OF foreign country said |
President c. E Steele
Il am quite at loss TO understand
What prompted President Wilson'S state |
nent," said the treasurer. II. Sutherland |
he did not think that labor troubles at |
home had influenced the President,
According TO President Steele, IL Is |
unlikely that the subject VIII be brought |