Evening star., 1923-10-19
PROHIBITION ISSUE
CAUSES UPROAR IN
GOVERNORS PARLEY
Pledge Full Cooperation to
Coolidge in Enforcement
of Dry Measure.
PARKER DECLARES KLAN
BIG NATIONAL QUESTION
Hot Words Fly During Vivid Scene
Preceding Adoption of Reso-
luton of Aid.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
WEST BADEN, Ind, October 19.-G
A formal resolution pledging Presi-
dent Coolidge the fullest co-opera-
tion" in the enforcement of prohibi-
tion was adopted by the fifteenth an
nual governors conference here to-
day after a stormy debate. Adoption
of the motion was accompanied by a
tumult of shouting and stamping
during which Gov. John NJ. Parker
of Louisiana left the meeting.
The resolution was placed before
the conference by Gov. William E.
Sweet of Colorado, with a demand for
record roll call. It's adoption, how
ever, was by a voice vote.
When the conference met today. Gov.
P. p. Baxter of Maine called for un-
finished business and Gov. William E.
Sweet, Colorado, stated the redraft of
the memorial on the prohibition ques-
tion, to be presented TO President
Coolidge, at the luncheon conference
at Washington tomorrow, was ready
for signatures of the governors.
Blaine On His Feet.
Gov. ]. ]. Blaine of Wisconsin was
on his feet instantly with objections
to the signing of the memorial, de-
claring that the round robin is an
unfair evasion of our rule against
resolutions" He urged a discussion
of methods for enforcing the Vol
stead act instead 'of proclaiming
from the housetops that we are Virtu-
Gus men and good governors.
Il am opposed to the eighteenth
amendment and the Volstead act and
the people of Wisconsin know 1t" de
clared Gov. Blaine, but there is no
criticism of the enforcement of the
law in our state. If we are meeting
here to memorialiZe on the enforce
ment of laws we should neglect none.
This fanaticism is base hypocrfcy.
Parker Threatens to Quit.
Gov. John NJ. Parker of Louisiana
declared he would resign from tn
conference of governors if a single
name were attached to the memorial.
The Ku klux klan is the greatest
issue in America today, he declared,
"and that question demands the time
and attention of this meeting, instead
amendment"
Il have declared martial law
twenty times in various parts of
Texas to insure law enforcement" as
serted Pat NJ. Neff. Governor of the
Lone Star state. "and If forty-seyen
governors refuse to sign this me
mortal, it still will go to the Ma
tional Capital with the signature of
the largest unit of this republic.
President Coolidge has invited the
governors to Washington to discuss
prohibition enforcement and not the
Klan, and we. therefore, should con-
fine ourselves to the purpose of tile
meeting.
Settled by Nation
Let this conference proclaim to
every bootleEger and every diStiller
in this country that this law will be
enforced. And let us proclaim to the
enemies of the Constitution that
never more will America look upon
the blight of civilization and the
curse of humanity since time began
the liquor traffic.
This is not a consideration of the
merits of prohibition. That question
was settled by the voice of 100000
900 people, and 1t is settled forever.
No state. be 1t New York or Wiscon-
sin, has the right TO encourage the
enemies of the federal Constitution"
KInn Issue Brought In.
Gov. Parker interrupted the Texas
governor with the statement that the
Ku Klux Klan was seeking to take
charge of the Constitution. and Gov.
challenge Gov. Neff on his statement
regarding encouraging enemies of the
Constitution. With several governors
clamoring for the floor. Gov. Baxter
restored order only by vigorous
pounding with the gavel.
Leaning over Gov. Neff's chair and
shaking his finger at him, Gov. Blaine
asked: will the governor please an
swer the question whether enforce
ment of the law is in proclamations
or in actions?"
Defends New Jersey.
I'VE must show the outlaws that first
there is the will of public officers TO
enforce the law" shouted Gov. Neff,
''and, second, we must put them on the
rock piles of our state penitentiaries to
consider their ways"
Gov George S. Silzer of New Jersey
jointed the debate with the statement
that New Jersey Is no wetter than any
other state. we are in favor of law
enforcement" he continued, but the
will to enforce the law was not the end
of the question in New Jersey"
The scheduled order of business called
for an address on "Waterpower DeveI-
opment." by Gov. Clifford Pinchot OF
Pennsylvania, and one by Gov. Blaine
on Railroad Valuation" 1t was doubt
full. however, IL they would be heard.
as the special train of governors was
due to leave at IL AS for Washington.
DRY SENTIMENT SEEN.