Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-06-25
AG|TATORS DIVIDED
INTO THREE GROUPS
Sponsors of Rigid Enforce
ment Plank Seem to
Hold Edge.

Ev the Associated Press.
HOUSTON. June IS, -- Prohibition
stood forth today as the chief problem
with which Democracy must contend
and conquer to insure party harmony,
Subrnerging all other issues at time
when indications point to the selection
of Gov. Smith as the party standard
bearer, the protracted controversy be-
tween the vets and the dryS apparently
wss injected into nearly every angle OF
pre-convention proceedings. The QueS-
ton OF how it should be handled found
opinion divided into three groups-ore
favoring a bone dry plank in the party
platform; another advocating repeal OF
tiie,eiafteenth amendment, ana a thlro'
proposing a declaration in favor Of law
enforcement with special reference to
the prohibition laws.
Enforcement Plank Seen.
While accurate check of this thrice
divided opinion was out Of the question,
II appeared as II the latter group could
muster the greater strength. and this
gave rise to many predictions that the
Democrats would approve plank call
Ing for rigid law enforcement,
The belief that this latter group held
a whip hand brought forth number
of expressions that the question woulo
be sn1ooti1ed over behind the closed
doors of the resolutions committee ana
a fight averted on the convention floor,
Another factor strengthening this be-
lief was an apparent desire on the part
Of party leaders for harmony IN ali
proceedings.
DANGLING however before the eyes OF
those who hoped for such a peaceful
outcome was the Specter that the pro-
flibition fight might reach the floor. In
some quarters it was felt that the ultra
clrys would battle to the last ditch ana
those holding this view referred TO the
MANY meetings being held by law en-
forcenient organizations in Houston as
substantiating their position:
Under auspices Of the national wom-
ems committee for law enforcement, two
meetings were held yesterday, at which
Mrs. nellie G. Burger, executive Secre-
tarv of the Women's Christian Tenn
prance Union. and Mrs Jesse w. Mich
olson of the National Woman's Demo-
cratic Law Enforcement League wig
orously opposed the selection OF wei
candidate and urged the Democratic
hosts to rally around dry plank ano
. dry leader.
Other similar meetings were on the
proerarn for today, including a break
last rally, at which Gov. Dan Moody
of Texas, around whom the bone-dry
forces have gathered. held foremost
place on the program.
Maryland May Act.
On the other hand, number of dele
gates were specializing on the nght 70
be made by the Maryland delegation
In the resolutions committee for a plank
proposing that the States be given the
power to settle the prohibition question
for themselves. The announcement that
such q move would be forthcoming was
made last night upon the arrival here
OF Gov. Albert c. Ritchie. who may per-
aonalIy represent that States delegation
on the platform drafting committee.
Those advocating the outright repeal
Of the eighteenth amendment were fol-
LOWING the leadership of William H.
Stayton. chairman of the board Of the
Association Against the Prohibition
Amendment, who declared upon reach
ing the city thai he would battle for q
plank TO that effect
Sill others interested in the wet and
dry issue were considering the state
uienf BIZ Senator James A. Reed Of Mis-
soslri, . presidential nomination candi-
date. Who Yesterday waved the banner
of impartial enforcement TO the dry
forces lined up in the opposition to
Smith.
Holding that his original objection to
the eighteenth amendment was based
on the position taken by President VIII
son that st was an invasion OF the
police powers Of the States" the Mis-
sourian said that the amendment would
stand until and unless the moral forces
of the Nation become convinced that
there is some better way to deal with
the liquor problem"