The New York herald., 1922-10-23
Vocal Artillery of the Cabi-
net Being Rushed Up
to Render Aid.
ONLY ISSUE is LIQUOR
State Amendment to Be Passed
on Which Might Modify
Dry Act.
BY LOUIS sEIBOLD.

Special Dispatch to THE New YoRK HERALD.
CLEVELAND, Oct. 22.--The most inn
portant question in Ohio, where the
artful game of politics is a fine art. is
whether the highly discriminating
Buckeye voter has lost confidence in
the Republican party and regrets the
100000 plurality gwen to Mr., Harding
for President two years ago.
If popular interest is any criterion
the Ohio voter does not entertain very
much admiration and less enthusiasm
for either party at present. If there
was any agency through which he
might express his disappointment with
both parties he probably would prove
a willing convert to a new political
venture intelligently organized and
directed.
Professional manipulation, combined
with circumstances over which he has
no control compels him to choose
between the two machines or go fish
ing" There is no third or fourth party
to which he can appeal for redress, not
even a Socialist ticket.
Consequently the Ohio voter is
manifesting only casual interest in the
merits Of the controversy between the
straight goods Republican and Demo-
cratic candidates for State offices, the
United States Senate anS twenty-five
members of Congress. who are manu-
featuring their own issues with little
reference to or regard for funda-
nentals of a national character. Reg
istration, completed yesterday, pre-
sages a heavy slump in the vote to be
cast two weeks from next Tuesday.
Leaders Are Disturbed.
Convincing evidence that the Repub-
lican mana gers are greatly concerned
over the situation is not difficult to
obtain The leaders, from the Presi
dent down. are trying to make up for
some of the blunders of the mechanics
on the job. All the heavy vocal ar
tillery in the Cabinet and nationally
celebrated word jugglers are being
rushed up from the rear TO render first
aid to the party candidates.
The trouble with the Ohio voter is
that he declines to fall for the old
time bunk of either party. and in
sists on playing the game his way and
not that of the professionals. He is
not interested in abstract proposals.
the ship subsidy, the League of Ma
tions or matters that do not directly
concern him. But he would like very
much to have his taxes reduced.
The nearest approach to an issue is
prohibition versus anti-prohibition. An
amendment to the State constitution
on which the voters are to pass will
provide convenient vent for the ex-
preston of popular emotions as to the
value and desirability Cor the reverse)
of the prohibition policy of the Gov
ernment.
II it should be adopted-and the
chances seem about even-the policy
proposed for the State will not in fact
affect or pullify the Federal inhibition.
The Amendment.
There is no question though that 1t
would undoubtedly give tremendous
impetus to agitation for the modifica-
ton of the volstead law. This is really
the object of the movement to put over
this amendment:
No beverage containing 2A or
less per cent OF alcohol by weight,
shall be deemed an intoxicating
liquor, and the manufacture and sale
of such beverages for consumption
in homes and places of abode shall
be lawful No beverage containing
more than one-half of one ounce OF
alcohol by volume may be sold TO be
drunk on the premises where sold.
Possession of intoxicating liquors
in the home or residence of any per-
son for his or her personal use, or
the use of his or her family or his
or her guests, when not intended for
sale or other illegal purposes, shall
not be unla wful
No search or attempt 10 search
the person or property OF any person
without previously securing a search
warrant shall be authorized in the
enforcement OF all laws pertaining 20
the prohibition of intoxicating liquors.
If the majority OF ohio voters in
dorses the wet amendment the Demo-
cratic candidates probably viii win
most OF the offices. This is because
the Republican party and its candi-
dates are committed to the dry end OF
the argument. For the first time In
its history the Anti-Saloon League
departed from It's nonpar,isan policy
and formed a hard and fast alliance
with the Republican machine. Despite
the fact that the leading Democratic
candidates generally have supported
dry measures they were maneuvered
into the wet side This has compelled
them to retaliate by attacking the
Anti-Saloon League in the state whore
it initiated its fight for national total
abstinence.
Wet sentiment is naturally strong
est in the urban sections Of the State,
the dry opinion among the rurals The
urban population of Ohio is argund
100000, the rural 100000 The out
como of the r II over the wet issue
therefore depends on the ability OF the
Republican leaders in Cincinnati.
Cleveland Columbus, Toledo Dayton
and Akron, among others, TO keep their
wet adherents in line for candidates
officially designated as dry
The Anti Saloon League has at.
tempted to correct its blunder by