Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-03-15
Series of Formal
Statements Issued
Over Dry Quarrel

Washington, Mar. 13.-(AP 1.-The
quarrel over prohibition went on to-
day in the Capitol, in its corridors
and at the White House.
1t was largely q battle of formal
statements. but it developed bits Of
real action when an Anti-Saloon
League committee took it's views to
President Coolidge, and the senate
judiciary committee, having on it's
hands the question of deciding for
or against open hearings on mod
ifcation bills, announced plans for
beginning its work next week.
Late in the day Senator Mcclellan,
Democrat, Tennessee, closed the hos
tilities for the day with a speech
in the senate in which he declared
prohibition Is a success despite fla
grant violations of the law by the
"moneyed aristocracy" and its ad-
ministration by the biggest distiller
in the Republic"
The visit Of the Anti-Saloon
League committee to the White
House, a statement issued by it said,
was primarily to take up several
questions important TO effective en-
forcement of the law" but the SUBJ
ject of newspaper polls on prohibi-
ton also was gone into and the WIS.,
itors advised the President to take
no stock in such balloting. The COM
mittee consisted of William M. For
grave, state superintendent of the
league in Massachusetts,; DIR. Arthur
j. Barton of Kansas City. chairman
of the league executive committee,
and DIR. A. H. Briggs of San Fran
cisco.
1t was learned subsequently that
the callers at the executive offices,
discussing legislation, particularly
the pending bill to establish Gus
toms and prohibition units in the
treasury department, which has
Anti-Saloon League endorsement.
The leagues statement, issued aft
er the committee left the Presidents
office, had a number of sharp things
to say about the newspa per ballot
ing, and it came simultaneously with
one from Senator Edwards, Demo-
crat, New Jersey, declaring it was
downright immoral for Congress
to ignore the prohibition question
because through it's submissiveness
to the dictates of the Anti-Saloon
League it is conniving with Grim
inals."
Il do not believe is is fair, 1 do not
believe it is just" he said. "for Con-
gress to 'pussyfoot' on this question.
And 1 herewith openly charge that
this is what Congress Is doing today"
AS to the newspaper polls. the
Anti-Saloon League statement said
most of them do not reflect public
sentiment and should not be taken
as an indication that sentiment is in
creasing for modification of the Vol
stead act.
Most Of the papers engaged in this
matter" 1t said, ARE in large cities
where the sentiment for prohibition
has not been strongly developed. and
we have creditable evidence that wet
organizations are pushing voting.
The friends of prohibition as a.
class will not take part in the So
called vote and will not be seriously
concerned or disturbed by the result
of the ballots
I'm effect, whether So intended by
the newspapers or not, the straw
vote is a part of the wet agitation
and propaganda which is being car
ried in advance of the congressional
elections of this year. 1t may be ig-
nored by the drys and cannot be con-
sidered an expression of the senti-
ment of the qualified voters or the
majority Of the people,"
Senator McKellar's criticisms Iii
rected largely at Secretary Mellon.
including the statement that the Sec
rotary was disqualified to head the
treasury by his large interests in the
distillery business.
Although he has transferred his
liquor holdings to trustee" he said.
1T is difficult for a shoemaker to
change his last"
Senator Mcclellan urged support of
Assistant Secretary Andrews, head
OF the dry enforcement forces. and II
developed that no criticism had. de-
veloped against Mr.. Andrews at the
White House conference. At the
treasury 1t was reiterated that Mr..
Andrews had the confidence and sup
port Of Secretary Mellon in his pro
gram.
Mr.. Andrews expects to send to
Congress during the coming week
two or more prohibition bills. pro-
posing revision Of the prohibition act
so as to tighten administrative pro-
visions dealing with enforcement.
senator Mcclellan held the floor of
the senate for more than two hours
and was heckled by Senators Bruce
OF Maryland and Broussard of Louis
lana, avowed vets.
He aroused Senator Broussard when
ne asserted that the so-called better
class OF people and the church. goers"
were fragrant violators Of the law.
:, Then the senator admits that this
Is class legislation, just as l stated
when it was proposed?" INQUIRED Sem
ator Broussard.
oh" returned Senator McKellar, "I