The Washington times., 1928-01-13
DRY LAW ISSUE
Up At DINNER


Continued from First Page.l
panied their appearance dis
closed that there still is q wide
ocean Of differences to cross
before the Houston Convention
and the November election.
Lasted Late
The Jackson Day dinner of the
Democrats came to an end in the
small hours of early morning. It
began last night, and for hour
after hour the favorite sons of the
party, from Gov. Al Smith to Will
liam G. McAdoo, passed in review
before $500 Of the party stall
warts gathered from the four
corners Of the country. Smith was
not present in person, but deliv-
cred his views via a letter to the
gathering.
No Fighting
There wasn't much harmony in
the views presented, but also there
wasn't any open fighting.
Prohibition Is Issue
From two militant Democratic
Governors. Al Smith of New York
ana Albert C. Richie OF Maryland.
the diners heard that prohibition is
one of the foremost issuesaconfront-
ing the party and the naIion. Both
urged the party not TO temporize
with the issue, either In its platform
or its candidates, but on the con-
trary to take a definite stand con-
corning it.
From another Democratic cover.
nor, Dan Moody Of Texas, and from
the standard bearer of 1924, John w.
Davis, the diners heard conflict
ing advice. Moody compared the
eighteenth amendment with the Ten
Commandments and declared the
party might just as well think Of
modifying them as of modifying the
instrument that gave birth to the
Volstead law. Davis minimized the
Smith and Richie, and declared
there was "a third camp" greater
than either the wet camp or the
dry camp which believed that pro-
hibition still was in an experimental
stage and worthy Of further trial.
Smiths letter called on the party
leaders to write the platform with
out delay instead OF waiting for the
national convention to do it. He
mentioned prohibition along with
other issues, such as foreign rela.
tons, agriculture, governmental re-
form, economic policy, and conserva-
ton and develor ment of the coun.
try's natural resources, as calling
for definite declaration.
"Indecisive declarations of political
faith gets the party nowhere" he
declared.
Smith pleaded for religious toler-
ance, and there was more than a
hint of where he stood on the wet
and dry issue when he said, I'VE
cannot carry water on both Shout
ders"
Harmoninzing Views
Here are some 70 the harmonic
ing views OF a few of those who
spoke:
Governor Richie pleaded for
restoration Of the rights of States,
declaring that on this question,
whether State powers shall rule in
State matters, or whether the Fed
eral Government shall nullify them,
rests the hope for temperance and
respect for law in this country.
He declared: ITO me the question
is not at all one of wet and dry,
to use the inept phrase of the
hour. 1t involves the basic prin-
ciples of American government in
all matters restrictive of personal
liberty"
Senator Jim Reed, pleading for
party harmony, demanded religious
tolerance and elimination of relig~
ion from political discussion. He
predicted a sweeping November
victory" for the Democrats, and
placed at the very head and front"
liberty OF conscience, not in the mar.
row sense that man may wor-
ship without punishment by the
authorities, but in the broad impii-
cation that no man is to be sub
jected to any kind of punishment.
obloquy or disgrace. because of his
faith"
Asks Harmony
He warned, Let us remember
that if every Democrat insists upon
having his way in all things, nobody
will have his way in anything
The preservation of the liberties
of the people, he declared, and
"the restoration of honesty in gov.
eminent; the punishment of public
malefactors; the development of the
resources Of the land, and the safe.
guarding of our international rights
are Of imperative and paramount
Importance"