Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-20
Defense of His Legislative
Record to Be Published
Tomorrow.
TILT WITH STRAT0N
VIEWED AS CLOSED
Expected to Bare Plan for Dry
Modification in Acceptance
Address Wednesday.
BY g. GOULD LINCOLN,
Correspondent OF The star.

STAN correspondent OF Ihe star
ALBANY. N. Y, August 20.-The de-
fensive today. the offensive tomorrow
Gov. AL Smith. Democratic nominee
for President. is handing out today for
publication tomorrow morning a COM
plete defense of his record as New
York Assemblyman. attacked by VIII
liam Allen White, Rev. DR.. John Roach
Straton of Calvary Baptist Church
New York City. and others, and hav-
ing entered his defense, the governor
will proceed to the offensive against the
Republican party in his speech accept
ing the nomination Wednesday.
The governors defense of his record
in the New York Legislature is made
in reply to the published charges
against him by Mr.. White. Kansas
editor, before the latter sailed for
Europe. Mr. White charged that AS
ago had voted in favor of the liquor
interests and the saloon, the gambler
and vice. Just before he sailed, how
ever. Mr. White issued further state
ment, IN which he said he would not
press the charges against Gov. Smith
with regard to his votes on legislation
affecting the gambler and organized
vice The White statement was inter
preted as a retraction in many quar-
tiers. But recently Mr.. White cabled
to Henry j. Allen, former Governor Of
Kansas and director of publicity for the
Republican national committee, he had
retracted nothing, and that If Gov.
Smith sought to "wisecrack" his way
out he would publish the whole record.
The governors statement in reply to
the White charges, it is known, takes
up ad seriatem all the measures upon
which he voted as a member OF the
Legislature, which Mr.. White referred
to in his original statement. His sup
porters here maintain that the gov
ernor's answer is complete and takes
the ground from under the feet of Mr..
White.
To Be His Last Word.
The Smith statement is to be the
last word in his defense. Whether Mr..
White will seek to come back" at the
governor remains TO be seen. Anything
new in the matter of charges produced
by Mr.. White might require a further
answer by Gov. Smith, but there is no
expectation In the Smith camp that
the governor viii be called upon to say
another word on this subject during the
campaign. II is held that he will have
blown Mr.. White and his charges quite
out of the water
While Gov. Smiths statement Is di-
rected entirely to the charges made by
Mr.. White. 1t NAV be considered an
answer also to DR.. Straton and any
others who may have attacked him on
moral grounds. based on his recorded
votes IN the New York Legislature.
There IS no mention of DR.. Straton or
his charges in the statement. it is said.
DR.. Straton having failed to agree to
allow Gov. Smith 10 answer the charges
made by him from the pulpit of Calvary
Baptist Church. the Governor considers
the Straton incident closed. 1t is stated
here he does not intend to reply 10 Or.
Stratons last letter to him. in which
the clergyman declared that If he. the
governor would not meet him In Joint
debate in some place other than Calvary
Baptist Church DR.. Straton would
brand the governor as a "Tammany
trickster' and coward"
Matter Seen Closed.
The governor is reported 10 be in
censed at the Straton letter but TO be-
lieve that his last letter TO the clergv-
man demanding yes" or mo- answer
TO his demand that he be allowed 20
answer DR.. StratcnS charges from the
same pulpit In which the charges we're
made has closed the matter He might,
of course, he said. determine later to
deal with DIR Straton If the latter per-
slstS III attacking him, but there Is
nothing TO indicate such a course now.
Interest here is keyed 10 high pitch
over Gov. Smiths answer 20 Mr.. White
and also in the Forthcoming speech Of
acceptance. The belief is strong that
Gov. Smith, instead of modifying his
stand on prohibition. will clarity the
issue so far as he is concerned still
further. The governor has a record OF
stocking 10 his guns and not back
tracking. His telegram 70 the Houston
convention. saying that he would. II
elected, rigidly enforce the prohibition
Jaws of the land. but that as Chief
Executive he would point the way 10
some modification Of the dry laws.
mapped his course III this campaign
clearly, 1t is said That he will specify
lust how he viii point the way 10 mod
ification and in what direction is con-
fidently expected
Dry Issue Is Major One.
Prohibition. at least in States of ths
North and the East. Is likely TO be the
major issue OF the campaign, with the
Democratic general command centerins
its efforts on breaking the Repubiicel
lines on this issue John J. RaSkoh
chairman OF the nemoeta attic national
committee, has indicated clearly that
he believes the wet and cry issue is the
main issue of the campsIgn, despite the
recent address Of Mrs, Nellie Tayica
Ross, former Governor OF Wyoming. a.
Charlottesville Va Mrs. Ross Is q vice
chairman OF the national committee
and She took the stand that prohibition
was not and should not be involved In
the campaign.
The Republicans In New YORK irsaye
been not at all dissatisfied with the re-
port of a $50 900 contribution to the
Democratic war chest by Pierre Samuel
du Pont, who has gone over lock. stock
and barrel TO the Smith cause and the
cause Of the vets II Gov Smiths CAM
paIgn can be aided by $4,000 contribu-
Tons ifom his supporters they see no
good reason why, IL Ii becomes neceS-
sary, Republican supporters OF Herbert
Hoover should not make contributions
equal IN sise TO the Gu Fcnt contribu-
ton
Butter Causes stir,
DIR, Nicholas Murray Buffers open
letter to the New York Times, published
today, In which he criticizes severely
MIR. Hoover because Of his declaration
against the repeal Of the eighteenth
created a stir here In both Democratic
scontinued On Page ?. Column ~