Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-07-21
'DRYS' DETERMINED
TO SELECT BRYAN
JubiIation Over Prohibition
Marks Opening of Con-
Vention.

LINCOLN, Neb.. July 81 (by the
Associated PreSS).-The prohibition
party opened it's thirteenth annual
convention here today prepared to give
over much of the three days Of day
and night sessions to jubilatiOn over
the downfall of John Barleycorn. To
this end. several celebrations have
been arranged and dozen or more
orators have prepared speeches felici-
tating the party on its fight against
liquor and condemning the republican
and democratic conventions for lack of
definite action on the question.
Indications were that such matters
as nominees and platform planks will
give way for at least two days to the
Jubilee.
The opening session. however, found
the delegates apparently facing the pc
culiar situation of being almost unani-
mously in favor of William Jennings
Bryan as their presidential nominee
and yet being divided as to whether
the convention should name the Ne
braskan as it's leader in the faIl cleo
ton. Hr
Say Bryan Won't Accept.
The Bryan boom, which has had
innumerable ups and downs in the past
forty-eight hours as various informa-
ton was received concerning Mr..
Bryan's attitude on the nomina ton, to-
day had become the foremost question
before the delegates and one which
many say may result in a floor fight.
Mr.. Bryan's friends here, who claim
to be speaking for him, firmly reiterate
previous statements that he will not
accept the nomination, will not run on
any ticket and feels that the party
should not name any candidate, con-
filming its activities instead to local
campaigns.
Groups of delegates yesterday
NIL
mated unanimously regardless of his
own views. A series of night con-
ferences by other delegates resulted
and today there is a definite move
ment to prevent Mr.. Bryan's nomi-
nation on the ground that he should
not be placed in an embarrassing po-
sition, although the delegates work.
ing against his nomination declare
they personally favor it if he will
accept. Nominations are not sched-
uled until Friday.
Several Planks Ready.
The convention was called to order
by Virgil G. Hinshaw. national COM
mittee chairman. and the usual
prayers and singing followed. Aaron
S. watkins of Germantown. Ohio. was
made temporary chairman and de-
livered the keynote address. Com
mittees on credentials. organization,
rules and resolutions were appointed
planned to hear their reports.
Besides the usual dry planks. tn,
platform committee will have before
it proposed planks on several other
subjects. Among these will be planks
advocating public ownership of rail-
roads and public utilities. a world
tribunal to settle international dis
putes. friendly cooperation" with
Mexico rather than hostile inter
ference" federal anti-lynching laws
and one dealing with labor problems.
Warren S. Stone. grand chief of the
Order of Railway Engineers, has pre-
pared a labor plank which will be pre-
scented to the committee.
Women ON Committee.
The national committee voted to rec
ommend to the convention that in fu-
ture each state name one man and one
woman as members of the party's ma
tional committee.
The proposal introduced by Robert
Patton, Illinois state chairman. was at
tackled by B. z. P. Prugh, Pennsylvania
state chairman. and by G. w. Dean of
Wisconsin Dean asserted that the party
had no woman members in Wisconsin
who were suitable for membership in
the national committee.
Ida B. Wise-Smith, president Of the
Iowa W. c. T. u. appealed to the COM
mittee not to deny equal rights to
women, and the committee then voted
unanimously for Pattons motion.