New-York tribune., 1922-11-11
Campaign Along Lines
Similar to Methods That
Brought Prohibition
After Years of Struggle
Early Move for
Division i'm House
Test Votes to Spot Mem
bers Against Whom a
Fight Will Be Made

From The Tribunc's Washinc.o1, Bureav
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-With
both vets and drys claiming gains
N Congress, the forces working for
modification of the Volstead act
are laying plans, it was learned to,
day, involving definite campaign to
be conducted along lines similar to
those which, after years of struggle,
brought success for the cause of pro-
hihition. The Association Against
the Prohibition Amendment and kin
dred organizations, it was stated, be-
ginning 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 its long battle, and
National Secretary G. C. Hinckley of
the Association Against Prohibition
and other wet leaders believe it can
be used with equal success for their
cause.
Early Attempt for Division
| Everything now points to an easIy
sFtempt the House at isast TO strike
4 division on she liquor issue. ia The
meanwhile there is nothing upon which
TO base an intelligent statement of how
the complexion of the new Congress-
on this question compares with the
present one, inasmuch as the Anti
Saloon League claims the vets have
lost three votes in the Senate 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 enforcement
comes up. Another opportunity may be
presented through the soldiers bonus
bill which Representative Fred Britten,
of Illinois, has announced he will in
troduce. 1t provides 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 referenhums
for modification of the Yolstead act
we're challenged to-day by the Asso-
citation Against the Prohibition
Amendment.
Referring to the statement of Wayne
b. Wheeler, counsel for the Anti.Saioon
League, that in Illinois the organized
dry voters" did not vote either way on
the beer proposal, G. c. Hinckley. ma
tional 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 iii the
states. In every instance it has fought
against any state action that would
place the Issue squareiy before the
voters.
Declaration of Public Policy
''In Illinois it was question Of
declaration of public policy on the part
of the people, as follows: Shall the
existing state and Federal prohibitory
laws be modified so as to permit the
manufacture, sale and transportation OF
beer and light wines for home
consumption
III Mr.. Wheeler feels that verdict
in that state of approximately 100000
to- 100000 is no real test Of sentiment
he is entitled to that view. The instruc-
tions of the Anti-Saloon League to the
Illinois drys not to vote 1are, never
theless, in line with It's consistent
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 less, inas-
much as there are no enforcement
codes in those states. 1t Is true they
htve no enforcement laws in Massa-
chusetts and California. But for our
winning the referendums, however,
each Of these two states would have
had a little 'Volstead law of its own.