New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-10-05
McCran's Fight
ToCurb jersey
Dry Law Fails
Republicans Adopt Straddlc
Plank Despite Leaders
Plea; Edwards Ccnsured
for Opposing Women
Vets Control Democrats
Urge Repeal of Van Ness
Act and Modification
of Nolstead Legislation
Front a STAFF Correspondent

Front Stat Correspondent
TRENTON, Oct. a. -Thomas Z. Nc
Gran states Attorney General, made
an lnefectunl fight to-day 81 tho Re
publican State Convention to have the
delegates adopt a plank pledsing tho
pan j TO an amendment Of the Van Ness
Dry Enforcement Act, passed by tho
last State Legislature over the veto of
Governor Edward |. Edwards. But Nc
Grams battle was not altogether lost,
for the convention finally adopted a
straddle plank which leaves it to the
individual candidates for the Lcgislat-
urc to decide whether to run rs wet OF.
dry
The Democratic State Convention
which met here al the same time. IN
der thc driving of Governor Edwards
and James r. Nugent the EescX County
leader. forced the Democrats to call not
only for the repeal Of the Van Ness
law, but also for the repeal or modiii-
cation o. the Nolstead act
This latter plank, however, was
adopted only after 2 bitter fight. the
personal followers Of Edwards and MI
gent mastering forty eight votes. which
was ten more than the drvs and middle
Of theroad delegates could command
An effort made by several delegates
20 tho Democratic convention to have
a plank inserted in the platform in
dorsing the Conference on the Limita-
ton of Armament was also voted by
the Edwards -Nugent machine.
Fight to Garry State
The Democrats in their platform
made it plain that not only were they
planning TO overturn the heavy Repub-
lcan majority in the Legisl ature next
month, but were laying the ground
work for the struggle to carry the state
in 1922 for Governor and United States
Senator.
The Democrats have selected as their
issue for both campaigns the repeal or
modification of the Nolstead act and a
liberal state enforcement. act
Republican leaders here expressed
the belief that the stand taken by
States Attorney General McCran to
day makes him the logical contender
against Edwards. who will be a candi
date TO succeed himself
McCran, tho law enforcement officer
Of the state. urged the Republican con-
vention to commit itself to modfica-
ton OF the Van Ness act so as to per-
NIT trial by jury and to forbid search
and seizure on information and belief.
Both parties adopted planks commit.
ting themselves to the enactment Of
legislation to stimulate house build
ing and to curb the rent protitecrs.
Both platforms also declared against
state income tax and denounced the
ku KluX Khan.
Tho Democrats, with the exception
Of the No'stead act. made no mention
Of national issues, while the RcpubIi-
cans commended Pres dent Harding and
his policies.
The Republicans. who before adopt
ing their platform, listened to adj
dresses by United States Senator'S
Joseph S. Frclinghuyscn and Walter
f. Edge, also adopted two planks which
occasioned considera b c worry among
the personal followers Of Governor
Edwards. They read:
eve condemn tho Democratic Gov
ernor for refusing to appoint women
members of the State Board of Health,
as required by a Law passed unani-
mously by both houses of the Legisla
turc and signed by himself thus de-
priving the Department of Health of
tho direct services of the women Of
Now Jersey.
NV, condemn the Governor for re-
fNsing to make his appointments to tho
Maternity Commission as directed by
the 1921 Legislature, thereby prevent
! inc scientific Investigation Of the work
ing conditions of women in industry.
We believe that New Jersey should
jon the large group OF states which
protect the health Of women and that
! Of their children by legislation limit
! ing night work for women in indus
/ tries whose continuance and service are
| not dependent upon a 24-hour schcd
( ule."
One of Governor Edwardss political
sponsors was attacked as the silent
partner of Tex Richard in a plank
urging the adoption OF boxing Law
patterned on that passed by the Now
I ork State Legislature last winter and
/ signed by Governor Miller. This plank
! has especial reference to the Dcmp-
Carpenter bout.
Attack Tunnel Delay
The platform also attacked the Dem
ocratic majority on the Tunnel Com
mission for its obstructive tactics in
| delaying start on tie tunnel connect.
! Ing New York and New Jersey.
Governor Edwards called the Demo.
cratic convention to order He turned
( the gavel over to Charles = Mcdonald
State Chairman. The chief plank in
the Democratic platform reads in part:
There can be no difference Of opin-
ION about honest law enforcement, as
the law Of the land must be obser' ed
Or orderly government viii cease.
The Nolstead act was foistcd upor
an unwilling people by paid profes
sional rcformcrs, working for revenue
only, who by coercion and intimidation
have arrogantly set at naught the
promises Of the founders of this Re
public-'the right Of life, liberty and
the pursuit OF happness
"Thc Nolstcad act should be repealed
or modified, because it has resulted in
hypocrisy, in bribery, in evasion of the
law, and in increased drunNenness'
Jersey Labor Asks Beer