The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser., 1922-11-24
VETS IN drive
ON CONGRESS-
Campaign Along Lines Similar to
Methods That Brought Pro-
hibition After Many Years.
EARLY MOVE In HOUSE
Test Votes to Spot Members Against
Whom a Fight Will Be Made
Intensive Struggle For Modi-
fled Dry Act.

Washington.-With both vets and
drys claiming gains in Congress, the
forces working for modification OF
the Volstead act are laying plans, 1t
was learned, involving definite cam
paign to be conducted along lines
similar to those, which, after years
of struggle, brought success for the
cause of prohibition. The Association
Against the Prohibition Amendment
and kindred organizations, it was stat
ed, beginning with the new Congress-
will use the same tactics in seeking
dampness that the Anti-Saloon League
used in putting over the dry law.
Test votes on everything possible
connected with prohibition will be the
central aim of the vets, with view
of literally dragging into one fold or
the other every member, thereby
spotting those against whom the
vets fight is to be concentrated. This
was the method used by the Anti
Saloon League in it's long battle, and
National Secretary G. c. Hinckley or
the Association Against Prohibition
and other wet leaders believe 1t can
be used with equal success for their
cause.
Everything now points to an early
attempt in the House at least to strike
a division on the liquor issue. In the
meanwhile there is nothing upon
which to base an intelligent state
ment of how the complexion of the
new Congress on this question COM
pares with the present one, inasmuch
as the Anti-Saloon League claims the
vets have lost three votes in the Sem
ate and in the House they will have
seventy-eight less than majority,
while the vets claim they will have
control of the House through gain
of eighty votes.
One of the first tests may come
when the appropriation for enforce
ment comes up. Another opportunity
NAV be presented through the sol
diers' bonus bill which Represents
tive Fred Britten, of Illinois, has an
nounced he will introduce. 1t pro-
vides for paying the bonus through
legalization of light wines and beer.
Representative John Philip Hill, OF
Maryland, one of the wet leaders in
the lower house, also has pending
several bills designed to modify the
Volstead act.
Efforts by officials Of the Anti Saloon
League to belittle the election results
in connection with state referendums
for modification of the Volstead act
were challenged by the Association
Against the Prohibition Amendment.
Referring to the statement OF
Wayne B. Wheeler, counsel for the
Anti-Saloon League, that in Illinois
the organized dry voters" did not
vote either way on the beer proposal,
G. G. Hinckley, national secretary Of
the association, said:
"As a matter of fact, the statement
attributed to Mr.. Wheeler is in thor
ough keeping with the tactics of the
Anti-Saloon League in all Of the fights
for prohibition enforcement laws in
the states. In every instance 1t has
fought against any state action that
would place the issue sQuarely before
the voters.
"In Illinois 1t was a question Of a
declaration Of public policy on the
part of the people, as follows: Shall
the existing state and Federal pro-
hibitory laws be modified so as to per-
NIT the manufacture, sale and trans
portation of beer and light
wines for home consumption?
"If Mr.. Wheeler feels that verdict
in that state of approximately 100000
to 200 900 is no real test of sentiment
he is entitled to that view. The in
structions of the Anti-Saloon League
to the Illinois drys not to vote are,
nevertheless, in line with its con-
sistent policy of evading the issue.
"Mr. Wheeler is quoted as saying
that the defeat of the proposed en-
forcement codes in Massachusetts and
California represents no loss, mas
much as there are no enforcement
codes in those safes.