Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-06-23
LIQUOR ISSUE Fight
ON CONVENTION FLOOR.
BELIEF OF CUMMINGS
with Delegates Arriving at San Francisco wet" Issue IS
Being Given Serious Consideration and Rival Factions Line
up for Fight. Question Of Presidential Nominee Seems d
Secondary importance at Present. discuss Platform.
BY The Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO.

BY The Associated Press.
SAN FRANCISCO. June 23-
Rumblings of Democratic discord
over the prohibition issue became
hourly more ominous today as dele-
gates and party chiefs arrived In
increasing numbers for the national
convention.
Hope that the gathering storm
might stem itself behind the closed
doors of the platform committee,
virtually was abandoned by the
leaders and they prepared to face
an outbreak of tempestuous debate
on the floor of the convention itself.
Is Generally Agreed Upon.
Such a development. 1t was agreed
everywhere. would hold many dra-
matte possibilities, including fur
ther complication of the uncertain
outlook as to the Presidential nomi-
nation. Already the overshadowing
issue in pre-convention conferences.
the question of a platform declara-
ton against the present "bone-dry"
law, almost took the whole stage
for itself today as the gathering
delegates heard of Postmaster Gen
eral Burleson's announcement for
modification of the Volstead act.
BY many accustomed to regard the
postmaster general as political
spokesman for the White House,
the development was accepted as a
wrning as to which way the winds
of administration influences would
blow.
Others refused to take that view.
but no one here assumed to know
with certainty how far the senti-
ments OF President Wilson might be
In accord with those of Mr.. Burleson.
The latter who announced his stand
yesterday at San Antonio will not
reach San Francisco until late in the
week. What everyone here does
know Is that both sides of the con-
troversy are cementing their lines
and bringing their heaviest artillery
for a finished fight. After mans
conferences and an effort to lay a
basis for harmony. Homer s. Cum
mings, the national chairman. said
today it seemed to be fair bet"
the question would be taken to the
convention floor for a settlement
regardless of what decision waa
made in the platform committee.
Mostly intertwined with the prohi-
bition question Is the problem in
the patform agreed upon and among
stltttins al aStOtd WIN
the practical politicians there Is a
feeling that the two decisions might
be settled at one stroke, so the pleas
of candidates managers are falling
on deaf ears for the present. while
leaders get their bearings on the
most immediate question on bone
dry" or beer platform.
Disagreement on League
The league of nations disagree
ment along with other disputed
platform issues has followed the
question of candidates into temper
airy eclipse. Among most of the
leaders 1t is agreed that whatever
trouble develops will be only a droI
in the bucket compared to the pro-
hibition fight.
Leaders of the bone dry" forces
were confident today they would
command a good majority in the
platform committee where each
state has only one member and
could keep out of the committee re-
port any declaration for a change
in the present law.
With this view most of the man.
ayers agreed but they declared
when an appeal was taken to the
convention itself a vote would tel