Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-05-10
DR.. BUTLER HAILED
AS MOSES IN FIGHT
AGAINST PROH| LAW
BY ROBT. T. SMALL
Especial Leased Wire to The Journal.)
ACONYright 1921


NEW YORK, May DIR. Nicho-
las Butler, president of Columbia
university, is being urged to dead
a nationwide movement against the
the United States. The distinguished
educator has been receiving hun
dreds of letters daily since he spoke
his mind about the Volstead act,
and the tenor of most of them is
to the effect that there is a wide
spread reaction against conditions
growing out of the prohibition laws,
but thus far the antidry movement
has Jagged for lack of courageous
leaders.
Some Of DR.. Buffers correspond
ents are of the opinion that an era
of tolerance is about to dawn in the
United States and they commend es-
pecially the tolerance which has
marked DR.. Buffers administration
of affairs at Columbia, as to race,
religion and temperance. The CORE
spondents cite the fact that at the
Methodist general conference which
denounced DR.. Buffers attitude on
the Volstead act, there was never
theless a new spirit of nberality
which may result in the lifting of
the traditional Methodist ban
against dancing and other forms OF
amusement.
There was citation also of the
fact that plans were under way TO
present at the Protestant Episcopal
convention of the diocese of Penn
sylvania a plea that the present
methods of prohibition be replaced
by q. sensible and moderate" liquor
law.
Urged AS Candidate
A few of DR.. Buffers friends have
been urging him to run for vice
president with President Coolidge.
The friends admit they have not
sounded out President Coolidge on
the subject and admit that his word
will be law as to the selection of his
running mate. They also are aware
Of the fact that the Republicans are
looking to the west for vice presi-
Dental candidate.
Despite this, enough has been said
on the subject to cause DIR. Butler
to issue a statement to the effect
that in his present frame of mind he
would not accept the vice preslden-
tial nomination if it were handed to
him. What may happen between
now and the week of June 4, now
ever. the president of Columbia
leaves in the laps of the gods.
Dr. BuHer is a delesate-at-lar2e to
| the Republican national convention,
| and it was said today that he may
endeavor to set a place on the com
mittee on resolutions which Will draft
| the party platform. If he succeeds
/ in this quest, he undoubtedly VIII
make a fight in the committee Tor
some sort of liberal plank in the plat
I form relating to the prohibition sltua-
/ ton. DR.. Butler feels very keenly
about this situation. His recent ad-
dress before the Missouri society in
I this city was really but a reiteration
/ of earlier activities on the subject OF
prohibition as it was written into the
/ constitute and into the statutes Of
] the United States.
Commended for Valor
! DR.. Butler says he has heard from
/ all over the country that condluons
have become deplorable under the
/ present workings Of the Nolstead act,
and denies he has been blinded to the
exact situation in the interior and
on the west coast by the prevailing
/ ''wetness on the north Atlantic
I coast.
/ Virtually all Of the letters received
/ by DR.. Butler praise his valor in
making such a frank declaration Of
his views He has been told many
times that If al men in public places
who believe as he does would speak
as couraceously as he has done the
anti-dry movement would make rapid
/ Roadway.
Not all Of DR.. Buffers letters are
! commendatory, however. 4 small
minority of them attack him relent-
! lessly. Those who believe in the
present law and feel that as much
/ progress in enforcement is being
made as could possibly be expected.
accuse the educator Of attempting
70 tear down the constitution and
"incite to anarchy