Evening star., 1920-03-08
DEMOCRATS FIGURE
ELECTORAL VICTORY
ON WET PLANK
Count 276 Votes for Candi'
date Favoring Beer and
Light Wines.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.


the strategy chamber of the political
parties. with the prospect that the
democrats, at least. will consider Sc
riously inserting a damp plank in
their platform. The leaders here are
against the saloon. against whisky.
against repeal Of the federal prohi-
biuon amendment, but in favor Of a
liberal Interpretation Of the laws and
q less drastic enforcement act 50
that light wines and beers may be
made In tho home or bought like any
beverages do not contain too much
alcohol.
Congress under the amendment to
the Constitution can define what is
Intoxicating or Notwithstanding by
SSefetmining S the percentage Of alco-
hol that 1t Is permissible to use. At
present the law reads one-half of 1
per cent Democratic leaders think
this 10 absurd and that the country
would not suffer the evils Of wetness
which the Anti-Saloon League preach
ed 90 vigorously IL the percentage
were doubled or even trebled.
Viewed N vote-Getter.
But the interesting phase Of tho
question is the consideration given
TO damp plank as a vote e-getter in
the next elections. Could the demo-
Gratis carry the country by it?
- present q table of states which
several democrats Of prominence have
worked out. and which they think
could be carried with q strong can
didate on a platform containing dec
larations Of liberal character in the
matter of laws relative to intoxicat-
ing liquors" 1t will be noted that in
the first group are states of the So
called solid south, with certain bor-
der states. thus:
Alabama, IL.
Arkansas, 8.
Florida, s.
Georgia, II.
Kentucky, 13.
louisiana, 10.
Maryland, 8.
Mississippi, 10.
Missouri, Is.
North Carolina, IL.
Oklahoma, 10.
South Carolina, 3.
Tennessee, IL.
Texas. 20.
Virginia, IL.
Total, IFS.
From the above group. it il true.
came the chief support for the pro-
hibition amendment, but ~ between
q wet and dry issue and voting the
lem Is counted upon to keep the south
safely democratic- The south, more
over. has had state laws on the liquor
Questfoa long before the federal
As for Missouri. Maryland and Ken
tncky, which have shown . tendency
to become republican, the democratic
strateeists say the liquor question
would surely keep them democratic.
Massachusetts,. Is.
New York. As.
New Jersey, IA.
Ohio, "a.
Total. 1o1.
and 101, the grand total would be
276, which il ten more votes than are
needed to elect q President OF the
United States
~Wets'n Doubtful States.
But even IL the four eastern states
were not assured. the democratic wet
advocates point to carefully work
which they would expect to acquire
enough votes to make up for any
losses in that Massachusetts. New
York, New jersey and Ohio combina-
tion. These so-called doubtful states
are as follows:
California, 13.
Colorado, 8.
Connecticut, z.
Delaware. 5.
Indiana, Is.
Rhode Island, 5.
Arizona, 3.
Montana. 4.
Nebraska, 8.
Utah. 4.
Total. IS.
The democrats here by no means
concede any Of the above states, but
for the sake Of conservatism they put
the above list in the doubtful column.
Conceded to Republicans.
Az for states that might not be car
ried IL the wet issues were injected,
the following states would be con-
ceded to the republicans:
Illinois. 20.
Iowa, IL.
Maine, s.
Michigan, Is.
Minnesota, IL.
Idaho, 4.
Kansas, 10.
Nevada. 3.
New Hampshire, I.
New Mexico, 3.
North Dakota, s.
Oregon. 5.
Pennsyivania, 81.
South Dakota, s.
Vermont, 4.
West Virginia, 3.
Wisconsin, Is.
Washington, z.
Wyoming, 8.
Total. 1877.
The foregoing total Of 1877 would.
however, not be enough to win. As 266
is required.
OF course. the democrats are basing
all these figures on the assumption
that "a strong candidate" will be nomi-
mated They would hardly be able to