New-York tribune., 1920-06-23
Repeal of ''Drastic and
Absurd'' Restrictions
Demanded in s'No Pus.
sy-footing'' Interview
Wilson Is Believed
To Back Position
Move Expected to Precip.
itate Hot Convention
Battle on Prohibition

SAN ANTONIO. June 22.-The Dem
ocratic party in its platform to be
adopted at the San Francisco Conven-
ton must take an open. honest stand
on great issues confronting the coun-
try and, above all, avoid 'pussyfoot-
ing, Albert S. Burleson, Postmaster
General known as the politician of
President Wilson's Cabinet, declared
here to-day. He is on his way to San
Francisco as q delegate from Texas
Mr.. Burleson said he was in favor
of modifying the drastic and absurd
provisions" Of the Nolstead prohibition
enforcement act, that he opposed gov
eminent ownership of public utilities
excepting the telegraph and telephone
lires. and that he was against meas
ures denying labor the right to strike
Mr. Surleson said the Democratic
convention must come out openly and
declare "our real feeling and belief on
prohibition. government ownership.
labor questions, soldier bonus and.
most important OF all. the covenant of
the League Of Nations'
Restrictions Called Foolish
The Postmaster General declared he
would vote for repeal of the drastic
and absurd provisions of the Volstead
act. # we're the rankest prchibi-
ZIONIST in Texas" Some of the acts
provisions we're 80 foolish they de-
feat their own purpose" he said.
+O totl of
the act" Mr.. Burleson declared. That
would be like buttirg your head into a
brick wall. I do not beliewe,.in trying
to do the impossible. But the ridicu-
lous and unnecessary restrictions can
be stricken out"
SAN FRANCISCO. June 22.-Post-
master General Burleson's statement
to-day at San Antonio regarding Demo
cratic platform issues drew particular
attention among party leaders here
for the national convention next week
because of its frank declaration for
modification Of the Nolstead prohibi-
ton enforcement act.
Wilson Attitude Indicated
Mr.. Burieson's demand for repeal Of
drastic and absurd" provisions of the
act expressed in more direct fashion
views which some of the leaders pre-
viously had voiced privately. Coming
from member of President Wilson's
Cabinet, the statement was regarded as
a possible intimation Of the Admins
tration's attitude on the prohibition
Issue before the convention
Senator Glass Of Virginia. who is due
here tomorrow, is understood to have
been intrusted with formal express
sion of President Wilson's views as to
the platform. On other occasions, how
ever, the Postmaster General has been
the direct spokesman of the President
on important issues, and Democrats
here were inclined to take his EXPIRES
sion as to the prohibition plank as
more than a statement of his own
views.
The preliminary convention discus
sion. while wholly informal in charac-
of opinion on two points thus far.
The iirst Of these is that the platform
struggle will be the real fight of the
convention; the second, that the -rohi.
bition plank will be the chief issue in
that fight, rivaling the League OF Ma
tions declaration in interest among the
delegates.
Bryan Directly Antagonistic
In the league issue, W. J. Bryan al
ready is standing directly opposed to
President Wilson's views as to the
party attitude That dates back to the
jackson Day dinner. when Mr. Wilson
urged that the Democrats enter the
campaign on the issue Of the ratifica-
ton of the league covenant without
material reservation. The former Sec
retary of State stood just as strongly
for acceptance OF the Republican SEN
ate reservations. as basis for rati-
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