Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-06-23
BRYAN VS. WILSON'S SUPPORTERS MAY BE
 LINEUP AT FRISCO
BurlesOn'S Statement May Mean Administration
 Inclined to Be Wet
PROHIBITION CHIEF
 CONTESTED PLANK
Burleson. Bryan and Few Party Ieaderse Present Are Awaiting the Arrival of Glass Before
 0Hlding Conferences.

San Francisco, June 22-Post- master General Burleson's statement today at San Antonio regarding de mocrtaic platform issues drew parti- cular attention among party leaders here for the national convention next week because of it's frank de- claration for modification of the Volstead prohibition enforcement ! act.
 MT. Rurleson's demand for repeal of drastic and absurb" provisions of the act expressed in more direct fash ion views which some party leaders here previously had voiced private 1 ly. Coming from a member of Pres ident Wilson's cabinet the statement was regarded as a possible intima- tion of the adminstration's attitude on the prohibition issue before the convention.
 Senator Glass of Virginia, who is due here tomorrow, is understood to have been entrusted with a formal expression of President Wilson's Irviews as to the platform. On other occasions, however, the postmaster general has been the direct spokes- man of the resident on important issues and democrats here were i'm clined to take his impression as to the prohibition plank as more than a statement of his own views.
 The preliminary convention dis cussion in progress here, while who'll ly informal, has shown striking un. animity of opinion on two points The first is, that the platform strug- gle will be the real fight of the con- vention; the second, that the pro- hibition plank will be the chief s- sue in that fight, out rivaling the league of nations declaration in in- terest among the delegates.
 In the league issue, w. J. Bryan already stands directly opposed to President Wilson's views as to the party attitude that dates back to the Jackson Day dinner when Mir. Wilson urged that the democrats entetr the campaign on the issue of ratification of the league covenant without ma terial reservation. The former sec- retary of state stood just as strong ly for acceptance of the republican senate reservation as basis for ratification, and in order to keep the league covenant out of the cam paign.
 If MT. Burleson's statement is to be accepted as representing the | n n q 6 nf vii 1. delegates said, it now was evident that Bryan and the administration forces were to clash also over that plank. MT. Bryan's views are known to be rigidly against any weakening of the prohibition laws. There is also, it was said, third point on which the president and his former secretary might lock horns. It was recalled that when the president ask ed congress for authority to accept a mandate over Armenia under the league of nations, MT. Bryan prompt Ily issued statement in flat opposi- tion to such program. It has been regarded as possible that the presi- dent might seek to have the conven- tion indorse his course as to Ar
 
 menia, and if so, it was said, the Nebraska leader could be expected to exert his influence against such action.
 Pending arrival of Senator Glass. MT. Burleson. and MT. Bryan, the few party leaders and delegates al. ready on the ground have been ex- changing only gossipy comment on pending issues. There has been no conferences and there is little ac- tivity among workers for various candidates for the presidential nomi- nation.
 Headquarters for John w. Davis of West Virginia, were opened today, However, presidential row has not yet become even shadow of what 1t will be, or what it was during the Republican convention.