Omaha daily bee., 1920-09-12
Cox Denies
Wet or Dry
is an Issue
Democratic Nominee Forced
to Make Statement ON Pro-
hibition by Voters of
Northwest.
Cuts Down His Speeches
! BY ROBERT B. SMITH.
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.

Seattle, Sept. 11.-Under a heavy
bombardment of demands for a
statement of disposition on prohi-
bition, Governor James NJ. Cox told
the voters of the dry Pacific north
west today that the liquor question
is not an issue in the present CAM
paign.
When he reached the arid territory
of the northwest he collided head-on
with unmistakable evidence of an
organized attempt to smoke him out
on the wet" and dry issue. The
people out here vote dry and they
-were insistent on knowing where
the Ohio governor stood. He re-
ceived kilograms asking him whether
he would seek to nullify the Vol
stead act. The newspapers published
open letters inquiring whether his
campaign was being supported by
the brewers. Women wanted to
know whether he was for light
beers and wines" Upon his arrival
in Seattle he was greeted by a large
front page display in the Post-In-
ielligencer of the letter written by
George T. Carroll, president of the
New Jersey federation of liquor in
terests, asking for contributions to
aid Cox's campaign.
Cox Makes Statement.
Realizing that the people of Wash
ington did not expect him to remain
silent ON the liquor question, the
governor finally made this state
ment:
"As progressive in government,
| know when an event has passed by
and become part of yesterday. The
reactionary rarely does. The friends
of world peace and the friends of
progress will win this election, and
any attempt to divide them on any
question not an issue will be un-
availing"
Introduced by Dry Leader.
To further satisfy the "dry" senti-
nient of Washington state, Gov
eraor Cox had himself introduced
here by one of the dryest of the dry
in the northwest, George F. Cotter-
i'll, democratic candidate for the
United States senate from Washing
ton. Mr.. Cotterill, in introductory
remarks, approved by Governor
Cox, assured the Seattle audience
that the democratic nominee, if |
elected, would enforce the law, and
assailed Senator Harding's record
or the prohibition question. He de-
clared that Senator Harding had |
voted 80 times on the wet side of
the question and only twice on the
dry side.
at is also we'll to note, in this con-
nection," he said, "that for 80 years
Senator Harding has been a brewer,
owning stock in the local brewery
at Marion, o.
Mr.. Cotterill pledged himself to
help keep the country dry if elected
to the senate. and added: with the |
renewal of this pledge | find moth
ing inconsistent. on careful analysis.
of the record of Governor Cox, and
my support of him for the presi-
dency is because | know he will en-
force the law in the United States
as he has enforced it in Ohio"
Crowds Brave Rain.
The governor spoke at Belling-
ham, Everett, Tacoma and Seattle.
Despite downpour of rain every
where. the candidate drew big
crowds. He began to show some
signs of fatigue from his strenuous
campaigning. His throat became
rasped and his voice grew husky.
He cut down on the length Of his
speeches in an effort to rest his
voice.
Out here where Nv. W.ism is
a considerable issue, Governor Cox
also sought to put the soft pedal
on the charge that he is too radical
for the presidency.
81 hold that in the United States
there is no call for extreme radical
ism," he said. "If government is
fair, then there will be no special
privilege and certainly no unfair
advantage to any one. There will be
neither exploitation of worker nor
injustice to employer. Just as surely
as the pendulum swings to the ex-
treme right in favoritism of unfair
privilege, there is certain to result
swing to the extreme left of rad
icalism with a smash" ~
The governor kept hammering
away at the financing of the republi-
can campaign fund. He read to his
audiences letter written by H. F.
Alexander. chairman of the republi-
can state finance committee, stating
that Seattle had already raised $o0,-
900 of its $65,000 quota, and calling
upon the republicans of Tacoma for
{. modest contribution.
After hisl Seattle meeting, Gov
ernor Cox left for Portland, where
he will spend Sunday and Monday.
Mop K.JIaJ ~ A~r,,n,o,,+