The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1920-03-22
SENATOR FRANCE
CALLS LIBERALS
MaryIander Would Restore
personal Liberty"--At-
taCkS "AutOCraCy."

Washington, March 22--(A P0--
Warning that republican liberals"
might form new political party TO
fight bourbon autocpcy" in an et-
fort to restore individual liberty was
sounded in the senate today by SEN
ator France, republican, Maryland,
with repeal of national prohibition
and tho espionage act as the chief
planks in its tentative platform, Sen
ator France declared that liberals
need not hesitate ito raise the bat
tlccry against all the reactionary
forces of autocracy and un- American
bourbonism.
"The dem )cratic party, under au-
tocratic leadership" he said TN
gloriously abandoned the sound doe
trne of the sovereignty of tho states
voted without scruplo huge powers to
the chief executive who was in vio-
lation of the constitution and of ev-
cry cherished principle of liberty
created the most powerful despot in
the world.
Old Parties Deeadent
Charging that republicans joined
with the Borubor ItaCnunnrios ana
connived In the setting up OF this
autoCraCY, Senator France said both
parties care as decadcnt as the issues
that quickoned them into being"
"lt the republican party slmll not
become the party OF liberalism and
of liberty" he declared, then there
must be IA new aud liberal party which
shall express the aspirations of the
millions of America who now demand
restoration OF their liberty and OF their
liberties"
AIong with repeal OF the prohibition
amendment senator France urged re
consideration" of the whole subject,
with local option and use OF certain
alcoholic beverages
Some of the plauks were
Operation Of railroads by representa-
tives of capital, labor and the public
under Interstate commerce COMMISSION
supervision
Rejection Of the 'iniuuitoua" treaty
OF Versailles and Immediate establish
mssnt OF peace with Germany.
with economy Of federal. cxpendiiuros
and reduced taxes.
A navy second 10 none aud system
Of military training but postponemuut
of immediate universal training.
Suffrage Among Demands.
Other demands woro1
Woman suffrage, a budget system
agricultural development. federal en-.
plovmcnt agencies, abolshment OF
NIlllu lNHbls ktUtlbHN compensation
for arrVir" men prtnhncutlN disabled,
and development nf ia" merchant ma
Tinc.
senator France charged that prohi-
bitlon, "torccd through during the
war while 1000. 600 American boys were
In service" was unconstitutional and
infringement upon individual liberty
aHd stntcs rights,
III the supreme court upholds this
| decision" Senator France continued
than all men, regardless of how they
| feel upon the question Of national pro-
| hihition. should be willing "a advocate
| the repeal OF the oightecntl amend >
mout IN order that IN normal times
| the people aud their Legislators should
| hnvo an opportunity of determining for
| themselves, freed from all coercion.
| cOmpulsion and repression. this most
| important question,
Many OF M feel that while use of
! certain alcoholic liquors should bo pro.
| hibitcd by local option statutes tho
| recent measures adopted have gone no
| far that they may, with Justification,
| lac considered by some as undue In
! iringomcnt upon personal self dctcrmi-
| nation.
But whether we believe IN total
| prohibition or not those OF us who ara
| republican liberals believe that any
such drastic changes should be secured
| only In accordance with orderly pro-
| ccsEos and uuhampered discussion of
! the issues involved %