The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-06-23
PROHIBITION PLANK
MAY BE PROPOSED
Democrats Talk MOdifica.
tiOn of Law
DIVIDES INTEREST
With LEAGUE


Convention Floor. League Views
Sharply Defined.
San Francisco, June 21.-With the
opening Of the Democratic national
convention week away, a storm OF ac-
tivity was noticeable about hotel head
quarters today, in addition to the pre-
lininary work at the auditorium
where the delegates will gather.
1t took the form Of informal discus
sion between national committee mem
bers and state leaders already on the
ground, devoted chiefly to anticipated
struggles with platform building.
There was virtually no talk as to pres
idential candidates.
a plain intimation ran through a
current Of platform talk that propos-
ais to modify the federal prohibition
enforcement act were expected by
some Of the Democratic war horses to
snare honors with, If not to eclipse
the league Of nations issue. Nobody
had any direct statement to make nor
would anybody talk for publication.
Some Of the men who will have q
hand in shaping the party's declara-
lion of principles, however, talked
much privately Of popular demand
that the doctrine of states rights
should apply to beer restrictions.
Taken in connection with the an
nounced purpose of William j. Bryan
to resist any weakening of prohibition
enforcement measures, the talk
brought to the surface the feeling of
prominent Democrats already here
that fierce battle on the point In the
resolutions committee was not to be
avoided. They believed also that ul-
timately the question would be fought
out on the convention floor.
Discussions Of the league plank ap-
parently awaited the arrival of Sena-
tor Glass Of Virginia. slated to head the
resolutions committee and coming di-
rect from conference with President
Wilson. The contest over the league
issue already has been sharply defined
In the conflicting views Of the presi-
dent and Mr.. Bryan.
The name of Senator Walsh, OF Mon
tana was injected into the discussion
today Of the probable permanent
chairman of the convention. Thd
Montana senator was mentioned by a
number Of leaders in tentative way,
although others said that they be-
lieved Secretary Colby of the state de-
partment would be the man urged by
the administration forces, despite his
statement that he was not candidate
for the post.
No delegations have put in an ap-
pearance yet except for state leader
here and there, coming ahead to ar
range accommodations for his asso-
ciates and to look over the ground
and pick up ideas from men from 9TH
er sections of the country. There Is
little about the city as yet to indicate
that 1t is to play host to it's first ma
tional political convention next week.
The wires were busy during the day,
however, with reports of delegations
getting under way from he eastern
seaboard and every arriving train add
ed to the group of figures in Demo
cratic circles slowly assembling about
headquarters of the national commit
tee.
San Francisco, June 21.-A night
session may follow the first session Of
the Democratic national convention
which opens here next Monday, Homer
s. Cummings, chairman OF the ma
tional committee, announced today.
Before that time the national COM
mittee which meets on June 25th, will
have disposed of the prospective con-
test over the seating Of United States
Senator James A. Reed, OF the Fifth
(Kansas City, district of Missouri,
and the contest over the seating of
the 2S delegates from Georgia. The
committee will act upon these in con-
nection with It's work Of making up
q temporary roll and contests may be
carried to the credentials committee
and even to the floor Of the eonyen-
tion.
Among delegates here, United States
. . Ii. 4