The New York herald., 1921-05-31
VETS ARE PLANNING
Big FIGHT AT POLLS
Movement to Force Repeal
Of VOlstead Act Takes Form
in Philadelphia.
ORGANIZING STEADILY
Will Use Same Methods as
Anti-SaloOn League En-
ployed on Congress.
GET MANY VOLUNTEERS
No Attempt Will Be Made to
Restore the Old Time
Saloon.
GET MANY VOLUNTEERS

Special Despatch to THE NEW YORK HERALD.
PHILADELPHIA. May 30.-Withn a few
months this country will see the begin
ming Of a fight that is being started to
destroy prohibition root and branch. 1t
will not be a series of sporadic out
bursts or flareups here and there.
Either 1t will be a battle to the finish
with good chances of success, or there
will be no contest at all, and the latter
Ia not probable.
The great movement that started re-
Gently to force the repeal of the Volstead
act is crystallizing in Philadelphia
probably much faster than anywhere
else in the country. The men who are
back of the fight are planning to let the
prohibitionists know for the first time
that they have real fight on their
hands instead of mere passive resist
ance.
In the first place an evidence of the
spirit of the whole proceedings can be
had from the fact that the leaders are
simply swamped, caught with their
guard down. as it were. by the rush of
applicants to enlist in the ranks against
the drys.
When the movement started in this
city it was more as a test of sentiment
than anything else desire to ascer-
tain whether public support would be
forthcoming If any attempt at an or
ganized fight were made. 1t was the
desire of the leaders to be sure of their
ground before going ahead.
DeIuged by Applications.
Consequently no provision was made
for real headquarters or for any form
of definite organization. The result has
been 70 place a real handicap on the
movement, as now everything nas to be
held up until facilities are obtained for
handling the rush.
Thousands of citizens have swampcd
the impromptu headquarters in the real
estate offices of Dolman, Mauran y
Co., In the Liberty Building. How many
applicants for membership there are is
not known, according to Mr.. Dolman,
who asserts that they cannot be handled
by his clerks and that the association
has got to make some other provision
for a headquarters Immediately.
Evidences that the men who have
signed as members are really sincere,
although many of them profess never TO
drink alcoholic liquors Of any kind, may
thing that has been brought out so far
has been the reiteration by those apply
ing for membership that they are against
prohibition because it is un-American
and an infringement of personal liberty.
Ministers, lawyers, physicians. business
men, artisans and others--responsible
men almost all--are strenuous In this
assertion.
A curious fact Is that large per-
- 1.e,.f t.alzy
against the return OF the saloon In the
old sense.
At present the lack OF facilities has
somewhat handicapped the advance Of
the associations membership, but call
for help has been sent to the national
headquarters in Washington. and few
days probably will see matters humming.
Pressure on Congress.
The plans Of the organization are all
open and above board. The officers
make no attempt to surround their meth
ods with mystery. The drys fought alco-
holic drinks with well organized propa-
ganda and the members of Congress
were forced to permit the passage of the
volstead act through fear OF the results
to themselves il they opposed it. That
is the declaration of this association
and now the members openly announce
that they intend applying the same meth
ods and thus making 1t an open test Of
the franchise. Congressional candidates
who support the views Of the drys will
be opposed by the members of this asso-
citation.
Stress is laid on the fact that the asso-
citation asks all its members and expects
them to vote for candidates who declare
against the Volstead law and in favor OF
the exercise OF States rights
1t is planned prior to every election to
obtain certified statements as to the
exact number of those enrolled in each
district and to let the candidates know
about t. Candidates will be asked for
a definite announcement Of their stand
on the question and supported accord
ingly.
Not only will Philadelphia be organ
lied, but the entire State OF Pennsylva-
mia as well. Organization-that IL what
officers of the association are seeking
At present their main object is TO so
thoroughly organize that they will be
able to present compact front of enor-
nous size to the drys and then make a
fight of It at the polls