Evening star., 1926-08-21
RESCUE OF c. O.P.
BY DRYS PLANNED
Upstate New York Repub|i-
cans Fear Influence of Wet
Leadership.
BY ROBERT T. SMALL.

NEW YORK, August 21.-A deter
mined effort is to be made here to res
cue" the Republican party in this
State from the wet" influence of the
city of New York. The effort is to be
national in its scope and is part of a
general plan to have the Republican
party nationally stand for strict en-
forcement of the Volstead act in all
Its many ramif1cationS.
The Republicans are trying to
thrust the stigma of "wetness" on the
Democrats nationally as we'll as local
ly. Democratic leaders in such States
as New York. Massachusetts, Illinois,
New Jersey and Maryland welcome
the situation. but in the South and
West there is resentment among the
Democrats. Even in Pennsylvania, the
Democratic hopes in the coming sena-
torial election are being carried by a
'dry"--former secretary of Labor VIII
liam B. Wilson, a member of the VIII
son cabinet.
Republicans are arguing that they
cannot regain control Of this State by
trying to outdo the Democrats in wet
ness. They say for the State Repub-
licans to fly the wet banner Is merely
to make themselves a tail to the Tam
many kite. The vets Of New York
State have learned that their interests
are best served by voting the Demo
cratic ticket and they will not switch
to the Republicans.
The Republicans face a rather pc
culiar situation in New York State.
In the city the party's machine is wet
Upstate 1t is as dry as dust. The
Democrats Of the State are wet from
the Battery to Niagara Falls. That Is
because the Democrats generally are
81 no a q
vote in the country districts Is negll-
gible. If one can dignity it even to that
extent.
The upstate drys in the Republican
organization want their party to get
in line with what they say Is the gen
eral sentiment Of the G. o. p. through
out the length and breadth of the
land. They are threatening to come
to the convention in the new Madison
Square Garden here next month ana
fight the issue out along that line II 1t
takes all Autumn. The. old Madison
Square Garden. now but an immense
.. hole in ,the ground, witnessed the
wrecking of the Democratic party
two wears ago: the new garden, de-
voted to siX-day races and wild
assortment of prize fights. may be a
deadly battle-ground for the State Re
publicans.
Some Vets Calming Down.
OF course, Republicans don't fight
like Democrats. They have way OF
composing their differences, on the
surface at least. These signs fail some
times, 1t is true, as in 1912. but al
ready even the rampant vets OF the
city are beginning to put on the sort
pedal and may not demand that the
State platform contain a plank de-
nouncing the eighteenth amendment
and all its works, including the Vol
stead act.
Senator Wadsworth is encounterlng
violent opposition from the drys
within his party. but the delegates
from New York City in the State con
vention unquestionably will see him
through with a handsome majority. sc
that the real convention fight may
come on the platform. 1t probably
will result in no prohibition plank at
all.
The political situation in the state
is amazing in a way. 1t seems to be
taken for granted here in the big
| city that Senator Wadsworth Will WIN
| in November and that AL Smith Will
succeed himself as governor. 1t Is
hard to stir up a fight. Both Demo-
Gratis and Republicans appear entire
| lv content with the arrangement. 30
much so that talk of deal crops up
time and time again, only to be denied
| In all directions.