The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-02-24
Hoover, G. o. P. Scandal, Prohibition

Recently there appeared In a ScrlppS- Howard
newspaper the New York Telegram, a straightfor-
ward letter containing inquiry which merits an
equally straightforward answer. The letter follows:
Editor New York Telegram: I believe it the
intention of the New York Telegram and other
Scripps- Howard newspapers to support Herbert
Hoover in the coming election, thereby aiding and
supporting the G.. o. P.-the party of the worst
deal in the history of the United States-the
Teapot Dome scandal-the party of Florence
Knapp, and last but not least, the party of Smith
of Illinois and Ware Of Pennsylvania, the vote
buyers,
If the Republican party inserts a. bone dry
plank in it's platform which it indicates it will do,
do you still intend to support that party, repre-
sentng as you do, majority of wet readers, and
yourself voicing anti-Volstead views from time to
time?
I am sure clear answer to the above would
be appreciated by a good many of your readers,
because 1 would be the last one to accuse your
newspapers of double dealing
CHARLES E. YOEKEL,
16 E. 2o8th St.
New York City.
At least partial answer to the first paragraph
Of the letter was contained in the action of The
Times and the other Scripps- Howard newspapers in
indorsng the man, Hoover, rather than his party as
was evidenced by our announced intentions to sup
port AL Smith, or man of his type rather than any
other Republican candidate far mentioned.
ScrppS-Howard newspapers are under no obliga-
tons to and offer allegiance to any political party
They neither for against any party They
accept party organization as necessary instrument
OF democratic form Of government. Nothing more.
In this, they feel that they in accord with the
most progressive element Of the country.
Whenever a party becomes corrupt or impotent,
correction may be obtained in one of two ways
reform from Within or reform from without through
the organization of third party.
Success of a third party, however would not de
stroy the two-party system 1t merely would
that one party had died and another had taken its
place Given the right direction reform from within
is much more certain Of accomplishment and much
Speedier than reform from without through the
third party method
Roosevelt, at the top of his effectiveness, lowered
above and dominated his party; refocused its ideals
and rededicated it to public service Wilson, in 1914,
checked the Democratic pary's drift toward OBJ
lvion and reconsecraed it to the principles of JEFF
fersonian democracy.
1t is most certainly true as the writer of the letter
says, that Hoover's party has been besmirched with
corruption crude OIL and the cruder tactics of Teapot
Dome. The fact remains that speck Of this
dial has touched Hoover and the further fact
mains that his record of public service has been such
as to justify the belief that, if nominated he will
drive the political jackas of his party cover as
certainly as did Roosevelt and Wilson.
AS regards the wet and dry issue:
Ciraver issues more farreaching in their potential
effect on our peace and prosperity than prohibition,
will press for settlement in the next four years. Eco
nonic problems, problems of foreign relations and
foreign trade which may determine our peace and
prosperity for the next two three generations,
are demanding solution.
AS yet, has been suggested to meet these
demands more qualified by training more proven
by performance than is Herbert Hoover.
This paper believes that the Eighteenth amend
men was ill considered legislation and that the Vol
stead act was costly mistake 1t believes that both
should at least be modified.
But it recognizes that millions of high minded and
patriotic citizens are not yet convinced of the failure
of this legislation and do not yet believe, what be-
leve, namely that prohibition has 1ndered rather
than promoted the cause of genuine temperance, on
the desirability of which all normal people unite.
The remedy for the prohibition evil lies not in the
hands Of President-eeCt but in awakened public.
The most that the next President of the United States
can be expected to do will be to free his party from
the sinister influence of the paid lobbyists, wet or
dry meanwhile putting before the public the facts de-
veoped by the prohibition experiment, without re-
gard to the relation of these facts to political
pedency.
This, we believe, Herbert Hoover will do and we
believe, also that AL Smith would do it.
NIL. ~ DovTo1oio+rvr