Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1920-06-24
PLATFORM
BUILDERS BUSY
There Develop Several Schools
of Thought as to How the
damp" Plank Should Be
Whitfield Out

builders was busy to-day whiting out
planks which they believed would meet
the needs of the Democratic national con-
vention In expressing its views as to pro-
hihition enforcement. Leaders, includ-
ing Chairman Cummings OF the national
committee. were in agreement that this
question would monopolize the center OF
the convention stage until 1t was settled.
Mr.. Cummings expressed the opinion that
it would be the only issue to be carried
to the convention floor.
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 States rights stand taken by
Governor Edwards of New Jersey to pro-
posals that Congress be urged to proceed
directly toward modifying the one-half
Of one per cent alcoholic content restric-
ton Of the Volstead enforcement act so
as to lift the ban from beers and light
wines. The most pronounced movement
at the moment. however. and the one
which appeared to-day to have taken the
| most definite shape was that originating
in Washington and designed to offer a
basis on which anti-bone dry forces could
concentrate. Personal liberty will be the
slogan of advocates of this compromise
plank.
Mr. Cummings was emphatic to-day in
defining the question to be solved as not
prohibition issue, but merely express
sion of the partys attitude as to the
Volstead enforcement act There were
numerous other issues on which there
would be difference of opinion before the
resolutions committee. Mr. Cummings
thought, including profiteering. the in
lit alntt ttNtau hnfNn n 90 n
capital and labor. the Irish question. and
others: but no present prospect that they
could not be harmonized in committee.
A minority report is to be expected only
on the so-called beer plank" it was
agreed and that will throw the fight into
| the convention itself.
| The Washington enforcement plank was
| drafted in circles in close touch with the
| administration. 1t is understood to have
| been drawn from the personal liberty
angle and to advocate in general terms
liberalization of the Volstead act.
Specific mention of wine, beer or any
other beverage by name was omitted.
The plank will be put forward as repre-
senting the opinion of many senators and
representatives and its trainers hope to
be able to claim for it the backing Of
| President Wilson himself. 1t was drawn
after conference in which more than one
member of the cabinet shared it was
said. and in which anti-bonc dry senators
took leading part.
| Avoidance of specific mention of bev-
erages, proponents of the Washington
plank argued. and an appeal for an en-
forcement policy more in harmony with
! American ideas of personal liberty would
serve to prevent alienation of sentiment
which a more direct approach might push
! into the bone dry ranks.
BY such a course. ALSO he added, the
partys stand could be in strict accord
ancc with the ruling OF the Supreme
Court confirming the authority of Con-
gress to fix permissible alcoholic content
under the prohibition amendment,
1t was questionable tonight whether
any direct reference to the Nolstead act
would be urged on the platform trainers.
There are pros and cons to be thrashed
| out in that respect. The plank to be
urged by the anti-bone drys, however, is
expected whatever it may say otherwise,
to rap the Republican Congress sharply
for enactment of the enforcement meas
ure in its existing form. Probably, it
was said. the attitude of Postmaster
General Burleson in his statement in
San Antonio yesterday assailing as
| 'S"'N ''''0 - 49, -
ana cortehoinS that t"ey were caicuiateo
10 oeleat .he purpose oi the pronio'tion
afhehu-neht "ou'u DO rencc'eo III tne plat
! form language proposed.
a new source OF discussion arose
/ to-day in connection with convention
| procedure. 1t had to do with determine
ing whether the platform should be
adopted peiore or aIter the presiden-
tai nominee had pecn selected
chairman cummings apparently mas
mad the question up with managers OF
! various candidates ana round their
views 10 dffer. some OF the workers
for this or that candidate profess to
see strategic advantage for th"'r man
! in one course or the other. VH" ma
tional chairman did not sharc their
| views; nut to promote harmony Will
call the campaign managers into con-
! terence on m" eve or the convention
to see If a satisfactory program can
not be arranged IN advance.
There is strong desire to expedite
the conventions work as much as pos
sible. Steps to limit nominating or at
least seconding speeches are under
consideration lf a dozen or more men
are to be nominated and seconded, the
, delegates Will get more than their fill
OF oratory. it was said
mings expected the report on platform
on nominees. This would permit the con-
at..,x !. H.