The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-06-24
TAKES new
SH0 I At
WALL ST.

interests
By WILLIAM JENNINGS
BRYAN
Written for The Washington
Times
NEW YORK, June 24.-The
mayors banquet was a grand af-
fair probably the largest banquet
of the kind ever given in the
United States. Thirty-five hun
bred were present, and it would
be easy to exaggerate the number
after following the mayor and
his party through all the side
rooms into the great banquet
hall. And how different from the
old time political banquet.
/ began attending political din
ners a little more than forty
years ago. They were all of a
kind, whether Democratic or Re-
publican. They ranged in price
from five to ten dollars a plate,
plus several glasses.
Divided Into Parts.
The banquet was divided into
three parts-first, the eating and
drinking-mostly drinking then the
speaking those speaking who were
still able to speak.
Then came the hopping up
those who were sober gathered up
the drunken ones from under the
table, sorted them and sent them
home, and "a good time was had
by ALL"
What change; not a drop Of
Intoxicating liquor on the tables
last night, and yet, i was happy
and enjoy able occasion.
Whatever may be said against
prohibition by the thirsty, 1t is a
great improvement to cut out the
Equor and bring in the ladies. Red
cheeks are better than red noses,
The ladies, Miss Marbury and
very creditably.
They mingled serious thoughts
with sparkling wit. Mayor Hy1ar1's
speech was a surprise as well as
a. delight to the Western and
Southern delegations. pr
If the hearers could have closed
their eyes and shut out the gorge
Gus evidences of luxurious city,
they might have thought them.
selves listening to a progressive
Democrat, or even progressive
Republican, so aggressive were his
attacks upon monopolies and preda.
tory interests.
Laud Empire City.
The delegates will concede to
New. York the palm for the atten-
ton that it is giving to its guests.
1t will be difficult for any other
city to match the cordially of
New York. Nothing is likely to
equal it soon unless they change
the date of the convention to Feb
ruary and hold it in Florida-pref-
erably Miami.
The talk over the LIQUOR plank
10 narrowing down to phraseology.
There is not the slightest chance
for a wet plank, either a declara-
ton against prohibition or for any
kind of modification.
The, drys find the situation quite
differ ent from the situation at San
Francisco.
The failure Of the Republicans to
say anything on the subject at
Chicago REINFORCED the vets at
San Francisco.
They insisted that any kind of
a dry plank would inject the liquor
issue into the campaign and that
had its influence with the middle
group that emphasizes harmony.
This year, the Republicans have
declared in favor of law enforce.
ment; it is not as strong a plank
as the drys desired, but it commits
the party to the enforcement Of
the prohibition laws as well as
other laws.
Silence upon the part of the
Democrats now would bring the
liquor question into the campaign
and put the Democrats on the wet
side. The drys have the advantage
this time up to the point where
the Democratic dry plank Is a.
strong as the Republican dry plank.
Dry Platform Plank.
The drys will go farther If they
can and show more courage than
the Republicans did in the express
sion of their opinion.
The Republican plank may be re.
garded as the minimum; the Demo-
Gratis dare not fall below that.
In the next article shall discuss
the campaign contributions plank
which promises to be one Of the
strongest planks In the platform.
Having been selected by the Flor
Ida delegation as the State member
on the resolutions committee, / shall
be In a position to assist In framing
q platform that viii! appeal TO the
hearts of the American people; the
Republican platform Appeals rather
to the financial interests " bug
business. It touches tho pocket
nerve: Since over half the adults
who die in America 90 not leave
enough OF an estate TO justify ddlrrlt.-
istration upon it--and less than one.
fourth of the voters have q taxable
income, tie pocket .ierSe Ia not :
sensitive part vc The majority OF
the American pLop,e.
Copyright 1874. By McNGught syndi-