Evening capital. [volume] (Annapolis, Md.) 1922-1981, 1922-09-08
HIS SUPPORTERS ARE
CONFIDENT OF VICTORY

eHteTeu us last TWO days OF active
flghting. with the lines drawn between
William Cabcll Bruce, David ]. Lewis
and william ]. Norris with unusual
clarity.
Mr.. Bruce perhaps has the most
solid organization support since the
days before Blair Lee fought Arthur
p. German for the Gubernatorial NOM
ination in 1911.
In this fight Mr. Bruce Is supported
by virtually the whole OF the Smith
state organization. headed by former
United States Senator John Walter
Smith; by the Lee organization. head
ed 10y Il. Brooke Lee, which is the pos
terity of the old progressive" organi-
cation built up by Mr.. Lees father
former u s. Senator Blair Lee. and
by the united organization forces in
Baltimore city.
In general way, the opposition
TO Mr.. Bruce Is divided along geog-
raphical lines. As the politicians see
the situation, the real opposition TO
him in Baltimore city is from Mr.. Nor
ris: and the real opposition in the
counties is from Mr., Lewis. Mr.. Nor
ris apparently has made little actual
~ organized effort in the counties.
and Mr.. Lewis has made virtually
none in Baltimore city.
Norris "Tlltlng At WlndmIlIs"
Mr.. Norris is favored by many OF
the extreme vets. He has declared
for repeal Of the prohibition amend.
ment and OF the Volstead act Hold
ing that position, he has been given
the Endorsement of the Association Op.
posed TO Prohibition and the benefit
OF an intensive campaign of propa-
ganda carried on by the association
Thousands of circulars have been sent
out, IL is said and much personal mis-
sionary work is being done in his be.
half.
Against that work. organization
forces supporting Mr.. Bruce are max
ing the argument that what Mr. Nor
rls proposes is futile, that he is tilt
ing at windmills." II is impossible
they are arguing, to repeal the Pro.
hibition amendment because favorable
action OF 36 of the As States would b,
necessary to do it,
The point is made that many more
than IL States have had State prohi.
bition so long and are so unaffected
by the fight against prohibition that
there is not the barest chance tht
number standing out for the amend
ment could be held down to the doZ
Ell necessary to accomplish its repeal
For the same reason, the Bruce sup.
porters are contending, absolute re.
peal of the present enforcing machin.
cry Is impossible. The large number
of outright prohibition States has
enough members In the House of Rep
rosentatives TO prevent a repeal meas
ure passing.
Bruce's Position "Practical"
Therefore, as the organization
forces argue, the position of Mr.. Bruce
in favor OF light wines and beer is
the practical position. since 1t can lie
accomplished by modification of tn,
existing enforcement laws and there
is ia chance of bringing members o.
Congress from prohibition States to
agree to modification. where as there
is no chance OF getting them to agree
to absolute repeal.
The Smith and Lee forces, handling
Mr.. Brucos fight in the counties, ar,
putting up no organized fight agains
Mr.. Lewis in Garrett, Allegany an6
Washington counties. and they realiz,
they can take no chances in Frederick
and Montgomery counties.
These five counties constitute Mr.
Lewis old Congressional district, a
Republican stronghold in which h,
defeated the Republicans three times
Consecutively. In the first three oi
the counties the only chance agains
Mr. Lewis seems to be that M. Nor
ris might capture Allegany in a We
upheaval There is an organized wet
movement in that county. The Lewis
people say. however. no one can carr!
IT against Mr.. Lewis. 1t is his home
county.
In the other counties. Mr. Lewis
has suffered materially because of
widespread belief aIoeEg Democrats,
leaders he would not be strong can
didate in November. But for thai
fact, it is believed. he would be able
to give Mr.. Bruce much better or.
ganized opposition As il is. he must
depend upon a draft of the voters. in
the face of the general lining up o,
substantial leaders and workers foI
Mr.. Bruce
1t will be possible for the counties
to- make the nomination. There will
be 1873 votes in the State convention
The candidate who has 81 or mort
delegates instructed for him will be
nominated. There will be los dele
gates from the counties.
Jud Tunkins says telling a friend of
his shortcomings is more likely to kill
the friendship than TO cure the faults.