Evening journal., 1922-11-09
VETS gain, BUT
DRYS CONTROL.
Volstead's Defeat Will Give
Ants George S. Graham
as Judiciary Chairman
THEY CLAIM 1S5
SEATS IN THE HOUSE

WASHINGTON. ID. c., Nov. "a
tremendous expression of wet senti-
ment in many States was one Of the
principal causes for the Democratic
sweep, in the opinion Of high Ad-
ministration officials and directing
heads of the Republican National
Committee.
But the wet victory was not suf-
ficient TO upset dry control OF Con-
gress. Wet leaders concede that de-
spite wet gains the drys will have an
ample majority in both houses next
Congress on any prohibition issue.
While Government officials and
members OF the Republican National
Committee will not be quo,ed, repre-
sentative men among them point to
the wet vote as the most decisive
showing.
IN the words Of one OF the highest
officials and ablest politicians in the
Republican party:
"The returns show a vote not for
anything but against something, and
this something was the Volstead act
other leaders talked OF psyche
logical factor OF unrest and dissatis-
faction which found its expression
against prohibition.
Ardent drys say prohibition was
not a real factor and the result can
not influence any action toward
amendment of the Voletead law in
the next Congress.
Representatives OF the vets in
IL. -.
1S5 wet votes IN the next House and
predict that wise politicians who
have taken a middle ground will
swing TO the wet column.
Wayne B. Wheeler. spokesman for
the drys, declares the vets have not
enough votes to amend the Volstead
act in either House of Congress.
Headers here are more concerned
with the political aspects of the re-
suit, however, and the lessonN to be
drawn for the next campaign. One
OF the oldest heads in the Republic |
can ranks said a contributing cause |
70 Republican defeat was that there
were so many dry die hards" among
the party leaders. The defeat OF l
Andrew Volstead. father of the pro-
htbition enforcement act, was cited
as a case in point. The presence Of
die hard" drys. It was said, was an
Influencing factor all down the line
If the defeat of Volstead, which
seems certain, Is confirmed, Repre-
sentative George s. Graham, Penn
sylvanla. will succeed him as the
chairman of the House Judiciary
Committee. Graham Is an avowed
wet. As chairman of the commit
ter to which prohibition legislation
must go he viii be a factor. PRO-
po7ed amendments OF the Volstead
act viii not be smothered by him
In committee and the dry organiza-
tion viii not be able to dictate tho |
committee policy.
Leaders OF both political PARTIES In
Washington are taking stock OF thlsi
situation and studying the returns I
from the Third district OF Mary (
land. In this district Representative /
John Philip Fill was running on a
strictly wet platform. Maryland Is
normally Democratic and in a Dem
oeratic sweep hi gained the only
Republican victory by more than 2
to 1. It was. politicians say. the
most decisive victory because Il ran
counter to the general current.
Headers are frankly preparing 10
hnalyze the New Jersey vote where
Gov. Edwards. on a wet platform.
retired Senator Frelinghuysen; the
defeat Of Volstead and the wet
vQtes In New York. Maryland. uu-
nois, California and Ohio. In an
these States and in isolated Instances
In others, prohibition was an issue
National organizations OF the
vets and drys in Washington are
not extravagant in their claims. The
Anti-Saloon League admits great wet
gains. The Association Opposed TO
Prohibition comedies that even I'm
face Of these gains the drys still
control in Congress, but is enthu-
slHstic over prospects for 1928.
Both sides are preparing for the
next campaign and It is likely that
Prohibition may come up as a dis
tibet national issue. It Is certain 10
&c the issue in many State cam
phagns.
tEacp side issued formal state
ment or the results For the AS