South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-06-24
DRY PLANKS
ARE PREPARED
BY DEMOCRATS
Officials Believe Issue Will be
Fought Out on COnven.
ton Floor.
BY Associated Press:

Dg -tshOclated RreSSs
SAN FRANCISCO. June %. - A
volunteer construction corps of plat
form builders was busy, Wednesday,
whiting out planks which they be-
lieved would meet the needs Of the
democratic national convention III
expressing its views as TO prohibi-
ton enforcement. Leaders. includ-
ing Chairman Cummings, OF the ma
tional committee, were in agreemen
that this question would m monopOlize
the center Of the convention stage
until it was settled. Mr.. Cummings
expected the opinion that it would
be the only issue TO be carried to the
convention floor.
Informal Discussion.
Informal discussion by delegates
shows several schools OF thought
among the anti-bone dry advocates
as TO how the question should be
approached. They vary from the
states rights stand takes by Gov.
Edwards, Of New Jersey, to propo-
sails that congress be urged to pro-
ceed directly toward modifying the
One-half OF one percent alcoholic
content restriction OF the Eolstead
enforcement act, 50 as to lift the
ban from beers and light wines.
The most pronounced movement
at the moment. however. and the
one which appeared, Wednesday, to
have taken the most definite shape
was that originating in Washington
and designed 10 offer a basis on
which anti-bone dry forces could
concentrate. Personal liberty will
be the slogan of advocates of this
compromise plank.
Defines Question
Mr.. Cummings was emphatic,
Wednesday in defining the question
to be solved as not a prohibition
measure but merely explaining the
party's attitude as to the Volstead
enforcement act.
There were numerous other issues
on which there will be differences Of
Opinions before the convention acts,
Mr.. Cummings thought. including
profiteering. industrial plank, the
Irish question and others, but no
present prospect that they could not
be harmonized in committee.
a minority report is 10 be eX-
pected only on the so-called beer
plank" il was agreed and that will
throw the fight into the convention
itself.
Washington Plank
The Washington enforcement
plank was drafted in circles close
TO the Washington, it is said. II
is understood to have been drawn
on the personal liberty angle and
TO advocate in general terms a lib
eral Interpretation of the VolStead
act. Specific mention Of wine, beer
or any other beverage by name was
omitted.
The plank will be put forward as
representing the opinion OF many
senators and representatives It was
drawn after conference in which
more than one member Of the cab
met participated, IL was said, and
in which anti-bone dry senators took
a leading part
A new source of discussion arose
Wednesday, in connection with con-
vention procedure. 1t had to do
with determining whether the plat
form should be adopted before or
after the presidential nominee has
been selected.
Question Up.
Chairman Cummings apparently
has had the question up with man.
ayers OF various candidates and
found their views TO differ.
Some Of the workers for this or
that candidate profess 10 see a stra-
tegic advantage for their man In
one course or the other. The chair
nan did not share their views but
10 promote harmony will call cam
paiGn managers into conference on
the eve OF the convention 10 see
whether a satisfactory program can
be arranged in advance.
There is strong desire TO expedite
the conventions work as much as
possible. steps TO limit nominating
or at least seconding speeches are
under consideration.
There were intimations that Mr.
Cummings expected the report on
CONTINUED on PAGE FOUR }