The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-09-06
WHEELER LOSS
SERIOUS BLOW
TO. DRY CAUSE
Anti Saloon League Coun-
sci Was Man of Power
in National Capitol.
BY CARL d. GROAT
United Press Staff Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Sept. 6.-FrlenoS
and foes alike-and Wayne B.
Wheeler, Saloon League NOV
ing spirit, had many of both-agreed
today that his death is an extreme
blow to the legislative power of
the dry organization.
Known as the father of national
prohibition, Wheeler, after fighting
for adoption of the dry amend
ment, became the leagues repre-
sentative in the halls of Congress, at
the Treasury. and the White
House.
What he said went" generally. A
quiet man, Wheeler exerted the in
filence of veritable car around
" Washington. He had every member
o. Congress ticketed and labeled.
Hs knew who were sincere drys and
who were drys for vote purposes.
And a little word from him to a
members district often would plant
terror in the heart of a candidate
for reelection.
Removes Powerful Force
His death at Battle Creek, Mich,
yesterday, following so closely upon
the tragic passing of his wife and
father-in-law, removed from Wash
ington probably the most powerful
general counsel" or legislative
representative any organization
ever maintained here. Backed by
churches and the dry league, Vince
Ter was a commander Of unusual
power.
Even those who disagreed with
him admired him for his courage
and his skill II love fighter
and Wheeler was one" said SEN
ator Edwards IN. j.. bitter foe.
Wheeler was born in. Brookfield,
Ohio, in November, 1869. He was
a lawyer and early took an interest
in the temperance cause. After
graduation from Oberlin College. he
became field secretary Of the Ohio
Anti-Saloon League, later joining
forces with the National Anti
Saloon League at Westerville, Ohio.
Finger on Congress Pulse
He came to Washington and
opened an Office in rather obscure
building facing the Capitol. From
this vantage point, Wheeler literally
kept his fingers on the purse OF
House and Senate. His scouts al
ways were active, and he himself
was constantly vigilant against vets
raids.
Through his untiring work, it was
possible to pass the Volstead act.
anti-beer bills. and other dry legis-
lation. And, it may be recalled, this
was accomplished with men, many
of whom frankly liked their liquor.
Wheeler had his staunch friends
and his bitter enemies. Senator
James A. Reed, Democrat, Missouri,
was foe, and Washington last year
followed with interest the Reed
Wheeler clash at the so-called beer
hearing.
Reed, master of sarcasm and cross
examiner extraordinary, failed to
rouse the temper of Wheeler, what
ever he may have forced from him
that might be comforting to the
foes Of prohibition. such as names
of league contributors like Rookie
Teller.
Disliked Gen. Andrews
Wheeler did not like Gen. Lincoln
Andrews, until recently national dry
chief. And there is suspicion that
Wheeler took his fight to President
Coolidge, and made it stick" at the
time when the administration de-
cided that for the good of the dry
enforcement service, Roy Haynes
Wheeler's protege-must step down.
Wheeler felt Andrews was not
sufficiently sympathetic to the dry
cause to be an efficient dry chief
tain.
Wheeler played a large part in
adoption of the Eighteenth amend
ment and in passage Of the supple
mentary measures to make it effect
I've.
His passing was admitted here to-
day to be tremendous blow to the
washington power Of the league.
That 1t and its work will continue
is taken for granted. but MANY be-
iieve 1t will be a long day before
the league finds another general
counsel as able-and as feared--s
Wheeler.
Successor In Doubt
His successor is probIep1atical
among those mentioned are Bishop
James Cannon of the leagues cam
paign committee; F. Scott Mcbride
superintendent. and Ernest c. Cher
rineton OF Westerville, Ohio.
Wheeler's death will give wet leoS
islators new hope in the coming
session. though it scarcely is antici-
pated that Congress will undertake
any spectacular realignment simnIv
because Of it; and drys probable
VIII hunt long for his equal as a
leader and whip.