Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-04-13
WOMEN PROTEST
fF>sSsn.,aA SrAns Bare f1aal


urged that there be q strengthen
ing" of the volstead act In the two
states which are without state en-
forcement codes, while Mrs. A.
Haynes Lippincott Of New Jersey,
who produced bulky petition from
her home state against nodtncation,
declared that Senator Edge. q lead
or of the senate vets. had ridden
back to the senate In the last cleo
ton ION the coattails of President
Coolidge"
The women Interrupted the vets
in the presentation Of their case.
This was referred to twice by the
vets, Mrs. Peabody expressing her
appreciation of the courtesy OF the
wet leaders in permitting the wom-
en- to appear today and Mrs. Eliza
beth Tilson, Of Cambridge. Mass.
national legislative chairman Of the
congress of parents and teachers.
declaring there had been some i'm
portant "silences" during last weeks
presentation of the W.T. side of the
controversy.
Hundreds strong, the women de-
scended upon the capitol early and
held q prayer session on the main
steps before marching upon the
committee which met in the senate
office building q block away.
The committee room was fairly
well crowded when the women ar
rived and Senator Harreld, Repub-
lican, Oklahoma, who presided for
a time, directed that space be made
for them. The witnesses filed into
the room, crowding UP to the COM
mittee table gradually as the hear
ing proceeded.
Some of the women wanted to
speak from their places in the room
because of the crush, but the COM
mittee insisted that they come Tor
ward through the crowd to the Wit
ness stand. They took the oatn en-
masse in order to conserve time,
as they were allotted only two
hours. s9e>~&Svs- ~4e
There were few demonstrations,
senator's cutting oft applause early
in the proceedings during the testl-
mony Of Mrs. Herbert j. Guerney,
Of violation, Mass, chairman OF the
New England division of the wom-
ans national committee for law en-
forcement.
along quite well without the ap-
plause," said Senator Reed, Demo-
crat, Missouri, after the crowd had
expressed approval OF Mrs. Guer-
ney's statement that she would rath.
er have liquor sold In "speakeasles
than in open saloons because the
government could cope with them.
ayes. I think manifestations Of
approval and disapproval ought to
eoiA GAnofnr Walsh.
Democrat, Montana, the then acting
chairman.
Senator Reed, the one avowed wet
Of the committee, took the lead in
cross questioning some of the wit
nesses, principally Mrs. Peabody,
Mrs. Guerney and Mrs. Lippincett.
After the hearing closed Mrs. Pea
body gave a statement to the press
in which she asked that it be made
clear that much of our time was
taken up with useless cross question
ing"
Before the women opened the
case, for the dries and while they
were filing into the room Senator
Harreld admitted to the record
statements by two wet members OF
the house, Representatives Gallivan,
Democrat, Massachusetts,, and Mac
Gregor. Republican, New York, who
advanced a number of reasons why
the Volstead act should be amended.
Like those of number of wom-
en- witnesses, the statements were
not read, but simply spread upon
the official report of the proceed
ings. Additional statements for the
wet side will be made tomorrow as
the vets continue with the presen-
tation of their case, which began
exactly a week ago.
After they are through the drys
will have ~ more hours in which
to reply, only two hours having been
taken up for the opening of the dry
case today.