Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-06-24
VETS AND 'DRYS' |
WILL FIGHT IT OUT
IN CONVENTION
Chairman Cummings Be-
lieves Plank Will Be Only
Bone of Contention.
ALL OTHER DIFFERENCES
WILL BE IRONED OUT
Many Are in Favor of Eliminat-
ing All Mention of Wine
and Beer.
TO NAME CANDIDATES FIRST
Movement Favoring Selection of
Ticket While Platform Makers
Wranslc Grows.
ALL OTHER DIFFERENCES
WILL BE IRONED OUT
TO NAME CANDIDATES FIRST
Movement Favoring Selection OF
Ticket While Platform Makers
WranSlc Grows.
[I:y Asse, slated rress.l


volunteer construction corps of plat
form builders was buSy today and to-
night whiting out planks which
they believed would meet the needs
of the Democratic National Conven-
ticn In expressing it's views as to
prohibition enforcement. Leaders,
including Chairman Cummings. OF
tho national committee agreed, that
this issue would monopolize tho CEN f
ter of the convention sage until 1T
was settled. In fact, Mr.. Cummings
believes 1t will be the only issue car
ricd to the convention floor.
Antibonc-dry advocates are nuz-
zled as to how the question should
be approached. They vary from the
States rights stand taken by Gov
ernor Edwards. Of New Jersey, to
proposals that Congress be urged to
proceed directly toward modifying
tho one-half of 1 per cent alcoholic
content rcttriction OF the Folstead
enforcement act SO as to lift tho
ban from beers and light wines. The
most pronounced movement at the
moment. however, and the one which
appeared today to have taken the
most definite shape was that orgi-
mating In Washington and designed
to OFFER n basis on which antibone-
dry forces could concentrate. Per-
sonal liberty Will be the slogan of
advocates of this compromise plank.
Mr. Cummings was emphatic today
In defining the question to be solved
as not n prohibition issue, but merely
expression of the party's attitude as
to the Eolslead enforcement act.
Minority Report on Beer.
nSh
on which there would be difference
OF opinion before the resolutions
committee, Mr. Cummings thought,
including proHteering, industrial re.
lations. tho plank on relations be-
tween capital and labor. the free
Ireland question. and others; but no
present prospect that they could moi
be harmonized In committee. min
ority report Is to be expected only
on the so-called beer plank" 1t was
agreed. and that will throw the fight
into the convention Itself.
The liquor law enforcement plank
was drafted in circles in close touch
with the administration. It takes
the personal liberty angie and ad.
vocates in general terms liberals
cation OF the Volstead act. Specifd
mention of wine. beer or any other
beverage by name is omitted.
The plank will be pat forward as
representing the opinion of many Sens
ators and Representatives and Its
trainers hope to he able TO claim for
IL the backing OF President Wilson
himself. II was drawn after confcr-
ence in which more than one member
of the Cabinet shared, and many anti
bone-dry Senators took a leading part
For American Personal Liberty.
Avoidance of specific mention OF
beverages. advocates OF this liberty
plank argued. and an appeal for an
enforcement policy moro in harmony
with American ideas of personal lib-
crty would serve to prevent aliena4
tion of support for the nominee In
tho bonc-d-y ranks. BY such a course,
also, the party's stand could be in
strict accordance with the ruling OF
the Supreme Court confirming the au-
thority OF Congress TO fix permissible
alcoholic content under the prohibi>
tion amendment.
The plank TO be urged by the anti-
bone drys however. Is expected,
whatever 1t may say otherwise. I'd
rap the Republican Congress sharply
for enactment of the enforcement
measure in its existing form. ProbI
ably. 1t was said the attitude OF posts
master-Gcncral Burleson in his states
ment in San Antonio yesterday assails
ing as absurd the drastic provisions
of the Volstead act and contcndina
that they were calculated to defeat
the purpose OF the prohibition amend.
ment would be reflected In tho plate
form language proposed.
Cummings Tavors Expedition.
There Is strong desire to expas
dite the conventions work. Steps
to limit nominating and secoEdine
speeches Will be taken and It looka
now as II the report OF the platform
will be deferred until after tho bal.
loting on nominees This will permit
the convention to proceed with mons 4
inatlons while the wrangie ovefa ~
platform issues was In progress H5S
has been dons before in Democratic
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