Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-03-31
BRYAN-H|TCHCOCK
 PROHIBITION ISSUE BEFORE NEBRASKANS
It Will be Fought Out at the Primary April
 20

Omaha, Neb., March 27-The modifi- cation of the Volstead act to permit the use of light wines and beer a: beverages has become sharp issue in democratic politics in Nebraska ane will figure largely in the primary de- cision April 20 on the rival ambition; of Senator Hitchcock and w. J. Bryan for the presidential nomination.
 Senator Hitchcock precipitated the issue at statewide democratic ban uuet in Omaha, presided over by for lner Governor and for Congressman A. c. Shallenberger, and addressed b. former Gov. Neville, Senator Robin son of Arkansas and former Senate J. Hamilton Lewis of Illinois. Tn, meeting was held under the auspicc of the "Hitcbcock for President" club and to it Senator Hitchcock addressed a message in which he said:
 "Referring to the recent attack made upon me in Nebraska (by W J. Bryan), let me say this very brief ly: I accept without reservation the constitutional decision of the people which abolishes the American saloo' forever and with it strong intoxicat ing liquor. believe, however, law full way will be found, and ought tt be found, to permit the manufacture and harmless use of light wines and beer.
 Supreme Court Opens Way.
 "Thc supreme court has opened the way for this by holding that congress may decide what constitutes intoXi- eating liquor and on the mater con rress will naturally respond to the will and judgment of the American people when properly expressed. "Laws, while they exist, should be enforced, but American people cali not be denied the right to change them
 This exnression was met with pro- longed applause, most of the 600 dem ocrats present rising to their feet |. cheer it. It has served to bring upon the senator's head the harsh criticism of Anti Saloon League leaders, and number of Omaha pastors have preached sermons against 1t, but Sen ator Hitchcock's supporters are con fident that it represents the sentl- ment of large maojrity of the demo- -exats of Nebraska.
 Bryan, though he has declared hlm self receptive candidate for the presidential nomination, has not sup rnitted his name to the primaries, put has presented himself as candidate for delegate-at-large declaring that if instructed by the primaries to sup. port Senator Hitchcock he will bolt his instructions.
 Fight for Delegates.
 The lines between Hitchcock ano Bryan are clearly drawn. A complete list of Bryan delegates and Hitchcock delegates to the National Convention will contest for election in the pri- maries on April 20. Bryan has al, ready presented w. H. Thompson of Grand Island as a candidate for Ma tional Committeeman against the in, cumbent, Arthur F. Mullen, who is the leader of the Hitchcock forces in Ne braska.
 Bryan's fight on Hitchcock as based largely on the latcr's record of op. position to prohibition and woman suffrage, and on the charge that he Is subscrvient to Wall street.
 The opposition to Bryan is ground cd on a number of reasons. They in- dude his violation of instructions to support Champ Clark in the Baltimore convention; his announcement that Ii elected delegate this year he will op- pose Hitchcock even if instructed to support him; bolting the candidates of Hitchcock for Senator and Neville for Governor when they were up fol reelection; his desertion from. the Cabinet in the war crisis, and hls assumption that he is the master, moi the Democrats of Nebraska.
 Bryan was defeated in his candl' dacy for dclegatc-at-large to the Ma tional Convention four years ago or practically the same lineup as e%'