The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-25
MAY CLOUD
ECONOMIC
ISSUES
commoner Reviews Session
and Reaffirms Views on
League Of Nations
~ WILLIAM JENNINGS BRYAN
written Especially for The
Washington Times


Washington Times
NEW YORK, June 25.--The
afternoon and evening of the first
day of the convention were devoted
TO hearings before the full COM
nittee. A number Of platform
proposals were made on subjects
representing the views of several
groups. Only three of these sub
jects aroused any considerable
amount of opposition or indicated
q probability of radical division in
the committee.
The first of these controversial
subjects centered about the plank
on the League of Nations. Ex-Jus-
tice Clark presented to the COM
niittee the views of the organiza-
ton of which he is the head.
Harmony Is Sought.
It win be remembered that this
distinguished jurist resigned from
the Supreme bench in order to de-
vote himself to this work.
Professor Fisher. Of Yale, also
spoke with earnestness on the same
subject. !
The three positions, which have
to be harmonized in the committee
II controversy upon the floor Is
to be prevented, are first, the in
dorsement Of the league by name
second. the Endorsement Of CO
operation in positive but general
terms without mention Of the
league; third, the submission of the
question to the people at refer
endum.
I have already referred to this
subject and given the arguments
in favor Of a referendum that Will
permit the voters to decide.
The second question upon which
there was division Of opinion had
to do with the plank upon pro
hfbition. Here, too, three positions
were taken. The difference, how
ever, may be harmonized in the
committee.
The Anti-Saloon League tadvo
Gated a law enforcement planks and
objected to any wet plank. It did
not insist upon any language op.
posing a plank modification Of the
law, but objected to the advocacy
Of any weakening.
Others Ask For Plank.
Doctor Clinton N. Howard and
Doctor Oliver Stewart, representing
q large number, of organizations, in
GLIDING the Christian EndeavOr So.
ciety, the Woman's Christian Tenn
perance Union, and number Of
the churches and temperance so.
cieties, with total membership OF
some 100000 asked for a plank.
pIedging not only enforcement, but
opposition to any increase in the
alcoholic content of permitted bev.
erages, or any other weakening Of
the law.
Miss Anna Gordon, president OF
the w. C. T. u, spoke along the
same line.
Mrs. Pennypacker, of Texas, for
mer president of the National
League Of Women's Clubs, brought
a stirring message fram recent
meeting of that organization in IA.
vor of strong plank on enforce
ment.
Ex-Congressrnan John j. Lentz, of
Ohio, submitted resolution that
criticised the Republican party for
failure to enforce and pledged the
Democratic party to vigorous action,
applying the words of Jackson, ut
must and shall be enforced"
Several Khan Resolutions.
The outstanding feature Of the
first session of the committee on
resolutions, however, was the an.
nouncement Of the anti-klan repre-
sentatives that they would carry
the fight to the floor Of the con.
vention If Nthe committee failed spe-
officially to denounce the activities
of the khan.
Several resolutions were read and
from the feeling manifested, as
well as from the arguments advanc.
cd, 1t seems likely that this NAV
become the most exciting incident
of the convention. While no one
appeared before the COMMITTEES to
oppose the demand for specific
condemnation of the khan, it Il
known that difference of opinion
exists as to the advisability OF
going as far as the committee was
asked to go.
There is no difference of opin.
ion as to the wisdom of re.affirm.
ting the party's attitude on the
Z Constitutional guarantee as to re
ligious freedom-the dissension Is
over language that would inject
into the campaign a religious cues.
ton with the risk of diverting at.
tention from economic issues.
Copyright. 1924. by the McNauRht
Syndicate, Inc)