Evening star., 1927-05-30
WHEELER CALLS
FOR DRY REVIVAL
Addresses United Presbyte-
rians, AssaiIing Opponents
of Prohibition.

Assailing opponents of the prohibi-
ton law. Wayne p. Wheeler, general
counsel of the Anti-Saloon League,
today called on delegates to the Sixty
ninth General Assembly Of the United
Presbyterian Church to combat the in
nuences which he charged are at
tempting to tear down enforcement
Prior to Wheeler's speech. the AS
sembly voted to hold the next General
Assembly at st. Louis, Mo, and up
held the report of the judiciary COM
mittee on the question OF admitting
the singing of hymns in the church de-
voti0nal service, which recommended
the dismissal of petitions declaring the
action of the General Assembly with
regard to the preparation of q psalm
hymna1 void,
A spirited debate preceded the vote
Speaking at the Wallace Memorial
Church as the assembly went into it's
second week, Mr.. Wheeler declared:
The church made prohibition possi-
ble and it must now recall to the fight
those members who demoblized them
selves too soon.
1T must revive its teaching on the
evils of alcohol, insist on la% enforce
ment, expose the propaganda of the
brewers and organize its constituency
for the defense of sobriety and pros
perity against drunkenness and mis-
cry. which would be consequent under
any alternative to prohibition" he
added.
For Greater Consistency.
Turning to the "transcendent ques-
nf lo
er. emphasized the necessity for
greater consistency in the conduct of
public officials in "the fight to main
tain and enforce national prohibition" ="
He deplOred the questionable sincerity
of officials charged with enforcement
whose belief in the cause of prohibit
ton has been of short dura ton, stat
ing that sit is not heartening to
friends of good government to have
public officials state as they take Of
flee that they have been violating the
law themselves, but during their
tenure of office expect TO support it"
The civil service act" he said
carries with it a cost that will elimi-
nate the law violator from prohibition
service.
"A fixed policy is necessary" he
said. (which will guide the govern
ment along certain. simple, funda-
mental, principles and rules with ref
erence to prohibition enforcement, -
which he declares should not be
changed with every incoming admin
istration or set of officials.
Mr.. Wheeler paid high tribute to
the sincerity and ability of those at
present in charge of enforcement.
Smith Is Assailed.
Gov. Smith of New York was vigor-
ously assailed by the Anti.Saloon
League leaders, who denounced him
and the 'Tammany corruptionists" in
a caustic manner. attributing his can
didacy to the desire of the nulliffca-
tionists and the Tammany corruption-
lists to put liquor President in the
White House."
This" he stated, "and not a ques-
ton of whether Catholic or Protest.
ant is to be elected, will be the issue
Of the next election"
Continuing, he declared that "this
VS. more than amply demonstrated
at the Madison Square Garden con-
Ventlon, when those insisting on the
religious issue did not throw their
votes to dry Catholic, whose name
was suggested after failing to nomi-
nate wet Catholic Governor Of New
York. but cast their votes for Sena.
tor Oscar Underwood, a wet Prot.
estant."
Visitors Preach Here.
amy friend of liquor" Mr.. Wheeler
asserted" will suit the liquor crowd"
Many ministers attending the Gen.
eral Assembly preached in local pul.
pits yesterday morning, while in the
afternoon more than 300 delegates
and others filled Wallace Memorial
Church to capacity at the annual As?
Sembly communion service. The sacra.
mental rites were conducted by Rev.
DR.. w. d. Irons Of Mcdonald, Pa.
Delegates to the assembly adjourn
ed over the week end to visit scenes
of interest i'll the city and nearby
places, including Mount Vernon.
Completion of the first half OF the
seven-day conference was marked by
the adoption of a policy Of financial
retrenchment with regard to foreign
missions.