Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1926-09-02
Placing of Wet Referendum
on Ballot Will Weaken DEM
ocrat. Observers Think.
SILENCE OF I'LL G. O.P.
CANDIDATE IRKS OTHER
Question of insults Donations NAV
Be Explained Away Before
November 2.
BY G.. GOULD LINCOLN.

presents a wet-anddry paradox.
Col. Frank L. Smith. Republican
nominee for the Senate, and stamped
as satisfactory by the Anti Saloon
League during the primary campaign,
will in all hurian probability defeat
George +. Brennan. Democratic NOM
inee and roaring wet.
At the same time it is admitted by
political leaders who themselves
have. been regarded as dry and who
have voted dry In State and National
Legislature that the proposed Wet
and dry referendum. similar to New
York's, If it be taken, will result In
a wet victory.
The petition for the referendum.
signed by upward Of 400, 900 voters
circulated by Brennan and his wet
supporters. today was taken from
Chicago to Springfield and filed with
Secretary OF state Emmerson. The
petition was given a great send off.
1t forms q book 10 feet high. with
25 names written on each page. To
do full honor to this thirsty plea that
Illinois he allowed to decide how the
eighteenth amendment shall he en-
forced within her own borders n big
parade. with brass bands aud Rren-
nan himself as marshal was staged
Throngs joined III the demonstration
G. o. p. Not Opposed to Plan.
The Republican leaders are not AT
all averse to tho filing of the petition
or even to it's acceptance ny the Secre-
tary Of state. Republican vets can
vote for tho referendum and at the
same time for Cot Smith nnd feel
that they haze given expression 10
their feelings regarding the prohib;
ton issue.
About prohibition and the referen-
dunn. Col. Smith has said nothing
since his nomination. In fact he has
said nothing about anything. for he
has been sick man and even now is
out of the State. recuperatiuG at New
London Conn. and is not expected
back before next week at tho earliest
This silence of Col. Smith is getting
under the skin of NIr Brennan. The
latter has hecn campaigning vigor-
ously as the champion cf beer and
temperance" which is an apparent
nnradoX of his 'Wn coming At the
Central States fair at Aurora this
week Brennan plaintively expressed
the hope that before tho campaign
was over Col. Smith would enlighteu
the voters regarding his prohibition
stand
Col. Smith may leave tho imrrea-
sion that he will he guided by the
wishes of the people of Illinois as
in the referendum. lie may
declare himself for law enforcement
while the eighteenth amendment and
the Volstcad act remain in effect. In
any event. he Is; expected to point out
that Mr.. Brennan. if elected 10 tho
Senate. which is overwhelmingly dry
and will remain so after tho coming
elections. will he able to accomplish
nothing for his thirsty constituents
even if sent to Washington.
Question Would Weaken Brennan.
The insertion of the question on
the ballot would weaken tho position
of Mr.. Brennan. in the opinion Of th-
politicians here. He started the
drive for the referendum, however,
and now with the petition signed ny
$4,000 more names than is required
by law. he can scarcely let 20 of IL.
The question" upon which the
voters will he asked to express them
selves in this proposed referendum
follows:
Should the Congress Of the
United States modify the Fedora
law to enforce the eighteenth amend
ment to the Constitution of the
United States SO that the same shall
not prohibit the manufacture. sale.
importation or ex-
portation of beverages which are not
in fact Intoxicating. az determined In
accordance with the laws OF the re-
spective States"
Such action on the part of Con
gress. Senator Borah of Idaho has
declared, would be notification. pure
and simpl', of the Constitution. IL
would be merely aphraSing thar
ancient quip What's the Constitu-
tion among friends
Col. Smith is not going to step out
of the senatorial race because of the
revelation of the fact that Samuel
insult. public utility magnate. con
tributed upward of Sl25.0O0 to his
primary campaign. according to
Smiths closest friends here.
Nor Is there any prospect that an
Independent candidate of sufficient
to cause q change in the
result of the general election will be
found by those who are now urging
that for decency's sake" and the good
name of Illinois neither Col Smith nor
Mr.. Brennan be sent to the United
States Senate. There is no denying
LIdI SOHiC w t!Ic SOpu DCODlG VI
nois have been shocked by the big
expenditures in the Republican pri.
mary by the fact that insult was
the angel of the Smith and Brennan
They don't like 1t. But
there is no wave of resentment dis
cernible in the State-not yet, at any
rate.
May Hold Expense Essential.
Republican leaders 90 not like the
look of things, but have made up
their minds to go through with the
They hope TO convince the
voters that the expenditure of large
sums of money in primary campaign
in a State as large as Illinois is abso-
lutely essential If the voters are to
be informed regarding the policies Of
the candidates. In Cook County alone.
which is mostly Chicago, sl54 900 is
held to be minimum requirement
for such campaign by single can
didate. This sum would include the
payment of workers on election day,
Advertising in newspapers. headquar-
ters general and district). printing and
the renting of halls for meet
ings, and nothing more. The talk of
candidates and their commit
tees to the expenditure of $4,000.