Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-10-30
UNDERWOOD IS OUT
FOR NFORCEMENT
Of j. S.DRY LAWS
Use of Every Government
Agency to Enforce Prohi-
bition is Advocated by
Senator From Alabama

HOUSTON, Texas, Oct. essen
ator Oscar Underwood, speaking at
luncheon here, came out flat
footed in defending his position on
two questions which are expected
to be storm senters of debate in the
next presidential primaries and cleo
ton. He also stated his views clear
~ on a number of other issues. Con
trary to advance announcement, he
did not discuss the European situa
ton, referring to it only casually in
the course of his address.
Senator Underwood declared thar
he stood for rigid enforcement of the
prohibition law, and favored using
revenue cutters and every other
agency of the government to stop the,
open Haunting of the eighteenth
amendment.
He declared that attempts by any
secret organization to compel she
government to enact legislation, or
any effort by ''class or khan" to take
the law in its own hands, strikes at
the fundamental principles of democ-
racy and threatens the existence of
ordered government in the United
States. He referred to activities of
masked mobs as an evil brought Oh
by widespread violations of the law,
and declared that if respect for law
enforcement of the statutes is not
again practiced worse evils" may
ensue.
Growth of RadicaIism
He declared that he saw no reason
why men should not have secrt or
CARNATIONS for constructive pur.
poses, for enjoyment and good fell
lowship, but for any secret organiza
ton to compel the process of govern
ment" or to take the administration
of law into its own hands was con-
trary to the great principles of de
mocracy. and invited national dis
aster.
The senator spent some time dis
cussing the growing radicalism which
he declared is dominating one wing
Of the Democratic and Republican
parties. The line is becoming marked
between radicals and conservatives,
he said, and he added. Il don't Le-
long to the radical group and neither
does true democracy" Conservative !
thought in politics guarantees prop
erty rights and the individual rights
of the citizen, so long as he keeps
himself within the law of the land,
he said.
The senator received liberal APP
plause when he declared that the
government which governs least
governs best"
Radical elements, trying to tear
down the special privileges of one
class, have Deen most insistent il
creating other special privileges" ne
asserted.
States Rights Defended
Senator Underwood defended the
doctrine of states rights with ref
erence to taxation. declaring that cit
liens of the states have been com
PEELED to support by their money
many national activities which prop
erly should fall in the province of
state government.
He switched to a discussion OF
class legislation, asserting that #
the government is to fill its mission
of greatest usefulness to all PEG
pie, it must again adopt the old Dem
ocratic principle which decreed that
there shall be no special privileges
and no class legislation in ths
United States. There should be no
government behind close ddoors," he
said
The congressman who votes for
measure because some class favors
it, violates his oath just the same as
if he should vote for the measure be.
cause someone had said, sit will be
to your interest to favor it," he af-
firmed. Cheers greeted this state
ment.
The senator spoke word to the
women who were present. He eX
planned that he voted against
national suffrage amendment, not
because he did not believe women
equally as capable as men, but be-
cause he holds the belief that suf
frage is a matter belonging inner,
emily to the states, and that the fed
eral government should not enact
suffrage regulations.