New-York tribune., 1922-06-24
Drys Attain
Stronger Grip
Upon Congress
Defeat of Four VETS in the
House Primaries Indicates
Talk of Reaction Against
Prohibition Is 4 Myth
Also Gain in Senate
Anii-Saloon League Out TO
Wage Bitter Campaign;
Jersey a Battle Ground
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, June Z3.- Despite
constant talk about a reaction against
prohibition and Of the prospect OF get
ting light wines and beer legalizcd,
there is no political sign observable
here Of any such possibility.
Measured in terms Of votes In the
House and Senate-which is the only
way. Of course, that legal modification
can come--the evidence so far Is that
the drys will actually be stronger in
both houses in the next Congress than
they arc at present.
The wish Is obviously father to the
thought Of any one who asserts other
wise in the light of the primaries 70
date. Actually the,net change N mem mem
hers of the House is a gain Of three
for the drys. Four drys defeated four
vets in Pennsylvania. and one wet de.
feated a dry IN the Peoria district OF
illinois. Representative Clifford Ire
land being beaten by william G. Hull
a wet
This district Is a fair sample Of the
way the Anti-Saloon League is watch
ing things and going after them when
II doesn't approve what rs happening.
The league is already back Of the
Democratic nominee in that district,
Judge Jesse Black, and, despite the
fact that this district was perhaps the
greatest whisky manufacturing center
in the country in the old days, the drys
are absolutely confident Of reversing
the party supremacy, so far as this one
Office is concerned, on the wet and dry
issue.
Drys Prepare for Campaign
The fact is that the Anti-Saloon
League, with Golfers amply supplied
and with the same shrewd brains d.
recting It's acsivitics,.j going into the
campaign this fall and has been engag
ing in all the primary fights this spring
and summer, with all its old-time yigor.
Far from regarding the battle as won
and the fight over. the league regards
itself as being in the position OF a
champion who has won the cup. but
who must defeat every challenger IN
order TO retain IT,
Its leaders say that every dry mem
Der OF the House who has figured IN
primaries so far has been rcnomi-
mated, with the one exception OF Ire
land. SO far as the Senate Is con-
cerned the dry forces have gained two
votes in Pennsylvania. Both Reed and
Pepper arc drys; Penrose and knox
both were vets
In Missouri Senator Spencer is a
dry, while Senator Stone, whom he sue
cecded, although he voted 20 submit
the dry amendment 20 the Constitu-
tion, was geperally classed as an ar
dent wet. Senator Reed, another wet,
Is having the fight Of his life for re-
nomination, with no certainty that he
will be elected even il nominated.
In Maryland there is a probability
al least Of a dry succeeding Senator
France. and tho Anti.Saloon League
has by no means conceded the impos-
sibility Of defeating several other
vets.
New Jersey a Wet Hope
New Jersey probably is the brightest
prospect the vets have for gain
Of one seat. There Governor Ed
wards's chief issue is expected 20 be
for radical modification Of the Vol
stead act. He was swept In as Gov
ernor on his declaration that he would
make New Jersey as "wet as the Al
lantic ocean" The drys remark
blanily when asked about this that the
Atlantic ocean contains considerably
less than one.half Of per cent. alco-
hol, and, therefore, is not a problem
for prohibition enforcement. However.
IL is conceded that Governor Edwards.
By explaining TO the Jersey voters that
modification OF the present liquor laws
must come az Washington and not
Trenton, makes n strong case.
Assuming the denomination Of Sena-
tor Frelinghuysen, or some other dry,
on the Republican ticket, the Anti
Saloon League will make the best fight
Of which II is capable 20 prevent the
election OF Governor Edwards. Not
that they fear that Governor Edwards
would be able 20 accomplish anything
in the way Of relief for the thirsty
il he came 10 the Senate. but they
dom. want 20 take any chances, par
ticulsrly over period Of six years.
Perhaps more important In their esti-
nation is the moral effect. A defeat
for the Ant-Saloon League naturally
detraets Just that much from the fear
In which the league Is held by the huge
dry majorities in the House and Senate.
sEAsHoRE sERvIcE--conmenein June
as,h fuil summer schedule WI be In ef-
,se, via new JERSEY CENTRAL Al
,.il ana sandy Hook Routes. Phone Rec.
-. asne 49,. Racfar all nighta-Adyf