Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-06-24
PROHIBITION QUESTION
LOOMS LARGE AT FRISCO


SAN FRANCISO, June 23.-Rum-
blings of Democratic disvord over
the prohibition issue became hourly
more ominous today as delegates and
party chiefs arrived in increasing
numbers for the national convention.
Hope that the gathering storm
might spend itself behind the closed
doors of the platform committee vir-
tually was abandoned by the leaders
and they prepared to face an out
break of tempestuous debate on the
floor of the convention itself.
Such a development, 1t was agreed
everywhere, would hold many dra-
matte possibilities, including a further
complication of the uncertain out
look as to the presidential nomina-
ton.
Already the overshadowing issue in
+ pre-convention conferences, the ques
ton of platform declaration against
| the present bone dry" law almost
! took the whole stage for itself today
as the gathering delegates heard of
Postmaster General Burleson's an
nopncement for a modification of the
VoIstead act. By many accustomed
to regard the postmaster general as
political spokesman for the White
3 House, the development was accepted
as a warning of which way the wind
of administration influence would
blow.
0kL
refused to take that view, but no one
here assumed to know with certain
ty how far the sentiments of Presi-
dent Wilson might be in accord with
those of Mr.. Burleson.
Floor Fight Forecast
The latter, who announced his
stand yesterday at San Antonio. Tex,
will not reach San Francisco until
late in the week.
however, is that both sides of the
controversy are cementing their lines
and bringing their heaviest artillery
for finish fight. After man con-
ferences in an effort to lay a basis
for harmony, Homer S. Cummings,
the national chairman, said today it
Xseemed a flair bet" that the question
Wwould be taken to the convention floor
for a settlement, regardless of what
decision was made in the platform
committee.
Closely intertwined with the pro-
hibition question is the problem of
selecting nominee in accord with
the platform as finally agreed on, and
among many of the practical poll
ticians there is a feeling that the two
decisions must be settled virtually at
one stroke. So the pleas of candi-
fol inc on
ears for the present while the leaders
get their bearings on the more i'm
mediate question of bone-dry or a
beer platform.
The League of Nations disagree
ment, along with several other dis
puted platform issues, has followed
the question of candidates into tenn
oorary eclipse. Among most of the
leaders it is agreed that whatever
trouble. develops over the treaty will
be only drop in the bucket COM
barred to the prohibition fight.
Complaining Feature
Leaders Of the bone-dry forces
we're confident today that they would
Command good majority IN the pat
form committee, where each state
has only one member, and could keep
but of the committee report any
declaration for a change in the pres
ent law. s.
With this view. most of the OPP
,osing managers privately agreed
Z 46ey declared that when an APP
neal was taken to the convention II
elf. the vote would tell a much dlt
ersnt story. The large states, II
vas pointed out, while having only
bne vote each in the committee, VII
have a much greater voice IN Ine
whole body Of delegates VINO MAKE
in the final court of appeals. AnC
post of the largest delegatlons are
eornted on for support by the ao
locates of a beer plank.
A complicatipg feature or con
yention floor fight would be the UNI
rule, under which many state ueIe
katez are instructed to vote as
bo61. Il was suggested today, how.
ver, that 1here might be genera
greement to let each delegate bt
Eounted according to his convictions
when the prohibition issue came Il
is final showdown. On that basis
both sides were predicting victory
nd many of those in a position tt
Know were declaring the outcome
would be close.
Some of the oldest leaders declared
fact, that the division might 81
lose enough to make argument anC
ratory on the convention floor thC
eciding factor. In any case, sucl
N open fight would be likely, It /:
PREDICTED, to furnish many thrilling
urns. .