New Britain herald., 1928-06-26
PROHIBITION ISSUE
 FACING DEMOCRATS
Dry and Vets to Battle to
 the End
By WALTER CHAMBL1N A ssoclated Press Staff Writer

Houston. June o6 lP - Three widely differing groups of democrats turned today to the resolutions committee of the national conven- ton to fight out the position the party must take on the prohibition issue.
 Unable to compose their views in many pre-convention conferences, each camp plunged into the fray with a determination to battle 10 the end for the cause with which their lot was cast.
 On the one hand there were the ultra -drys under the leadership of Dan Moody, the youthful Texas governor. and others lined up under dry banners were such buIwarks Of democracy as Josephus Daniels of North Carolina, Senator Garter Glass of Virginia and host of other party leaders
 At the other extreme were the vets inslstent upon platform plank declaring in favor of some modification Of the prohibition laws They were found chiefly under the standard raised by Gov Albert C. Ritchie Of Maryland, champion Of states rights. who has taken the position that the 4S conmonwealths should be given the power to settle the prohibition question for them selves.
 Tn between these two extremes was a far larger group Of self styled conservatives, intent upon the adoption of a plank declaring for rigid enforcement of all laws including the prohibition statutes, but at the same time a plank that would not commit the party to an extreme position upon the one ques- ton which above all others was threatened to disrupt the spirit of harmony that has permeated the gathering here of the democratic hosts for the convention opening today
 Aside from these three main di- visions, there were numerous minor groups each with views of a tan gent-like nature and each display ing ardent enthusiasm for their re- spective positions This latter class included those who have declared that under no conditions would they support a wet candidate as we'll as those championine the out right repeal of the 18th amend ment
 But out of this vortex Of conflict ing opinions, there came positive current Of thought which was epltomlzed late last night by sena- tor Walter Edge Of New Jersey. an ardent wet. who said that the bat tie should be fought out behind the closed doors Of the resolutions com mlttee and not permitted to reach the convention floor
 Whether leaders would be able to hold the disagreelng groups un- der control however. remained a question which no one was able to answer
 |! n' tIl"st 'llNIt was ln1GCie0 mo the many-sided situation the !n- fuence Of organized dry and wet or ganizations. The former have been an active element for several days in preconvention proceedings and have added touch of color to what has been going on.
 Hold Many Meetings
 Under the leadership Of repre- sentatives of 31 national dry or ganizations, the advocates of prohi- bltion have held many meetings, several of them prayer services at which the leaders of their cause urged them to stand steadfast to the end
 White badges inscribed with th. brief declaration: "For dry candj- date and platform" are plertifu)ly displayed in Houston Vets also have been busy. Under the leader