The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-06-23
PRAYERS ASK
! DRY NOMINEE
AT HOUSTON
Anti Smith Groups Hold
Series of Mass Meetings
and Services.
SEEK TO- BRIDGE RIFT
Distinct Signs Evident That
Wet Issue Will Not
Split Democrats.
SEEK TO- BRIDGE RIFT
BY CARL d. GROAT
United Press STAFF Correspondent

49, - q N|ANs A AC<AoSs julie AO.--FIO-
hlbition remained today fighting
subject for the Democratic national
convention, but with distinct signs
that 1t will not split that gathering
wide open.
Statements of Norman E. Mack
and Governor Smith on this
delicate question have served to
bring the controversy into the open.
and anti-Smith dry are promising
their Campaign against "any and all
vets" would be reflected in the
ballcting on the presidential nom
tnation next week.
Prayer meetings are being held by
the women dryS in their fight
against Smith and also against
Reed. Monday will be for them a
day of prayer.
The women, instead of playing
practical politics. -holing
delegates and seeking to switch
State delegations to avowedly dry
candidates, have determined upon a
Z series of mass meetings and prayer
services in their headquarters and
NAAdA NAACo OfSl bllC MSCk-CIlQ.
Pray for Dry Nominee
A In these meetings they will pray
4 FOR dry candidate. They have not
determined whether they will men
ton Smith and Reed by name,
though in theri announcements to
date such drys as former State
Senator Belle Kearney of Missis-
Sippi have not hesitated to de-
+. nounce the two specifically as vets.
In some quarters there is ten
.dency to believe that the women
4 drys lacked organized leadership
sufficiently strong to cope with the
formidable delegate position of Gov
4 ernor Smith. Governor Dan Moody
'>of Texas will address them Mon
day, and he may stir some fresh
enthusiasm in their ranks.
~ 1t generally is admitted that Nor
man Mack's announcement that
Governor Smith was opposed to
prohibition, followed by Smiths
own reiteration of his previously
known position on prohibition, has
accentuated the dry-wet situation
here. 1t still can burst out in open
session, or it can provoke sharp de-
bate in the resolutions committee
when the platform is considered.
Smith, however, is known to be
ready to run on a strong law en-
forcement plank, and he reliably
is reported to have no intention of
trying to force a modif1cation-or
light wine and beer-plank upon
E. the convention.
Law Enforcement Plank
The signs now point to bridging
the wet-dry troubles amicably so
J far as the convention itself is con-
cerned. Senator George of Georgia
. has let it be known that his fol-
lowers intend to support the con-
Nention's choice. Senator Pat Har-
Tison of Mississippi is known to feel
there will be no southern bolt from
the nominee. Senator James Reed
is here with some fight in him, but
st is not believed he is prepared
30 make any big party split.
Smith still has the foremost num-
Der of delegates and his friends
continue to predict his nomination
on an early ballot, especially since
the platform trainers are reported
ready to put in a forceful law en-
, forcement" plank in the platform.
The prohibition situation had a
9lew intensif1cation from utterances
of another New Yorker, Miss Eliza
beth 1Marbury, veteran Tammany
Hall worker and Smith supporter
Upon arriving in Texas, she de-
, elarsd that when everybody is ir
\ favor of prohibition, when we have
- army big enough to guard both
n coasts, then I'll, be in favor
- it."
Hull in Statement
prohibition just can't be done,
she continued. 1.-THE fact that it il
introduced in politics is the politica
Negro in the woodpile. I don't know
what kind of a prohibition planl
they will adopt, but believe 1t il
practical to endeavor to modify tn,
prohibition law and let each Stat
make its own Interpretation of tn
law"
The drys took the fact that sh
made such remarks, couples will
the other statements from tn
Smith camp this week as pro
h and as tending ITO supper
y their claims that Smith is a wet.
On the other hand, Smiths friend
suggest his own statement is mere
ay a matter of repetition-and o
) franknesS.