Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-02-26
SMITHS DRY LAW
VIEWS ATTACKED
HiIIes Calls New York State
Nations Battlefield in
Elections.
.periai Dispatch TO The star.

epHft3l DspdND ~ Inc SldE.
ALBANY. N. Y, February 25-Gov
Smiths views on prohibition. brought
into prominence last week in the ccr-Se
of speculation upon a possible dry p.....a
in Democratic national platform with
wet candidate, if he should receive
open attack in the State capitol this
week. However. no special political
significance was attached to the attack,
since it came from dyed-in-the-w wool
drys at a hearing on dry bills pending
before the legislature.
In the Republican camp came un-
mistakable evidence of a determined
effort to put the State squarely III the
Republican column on the presidential
vote. regardless of whether Gov. Smith
is a candidate for the Democrats. AS
a matter OF fact no less Republican
sage than Charles D. Hiiles. national
committeeman and vice chairman of
the national committee. declared during
the week that the Nation cannot hope
for Republican President If New York
fails to turn over its IS electoral votes
for the G. o. P. candidate.
Speaks to Republicans.
Mr.. Hilles made his declaration il
addressing Republicans OF Monroe
County and Rochester. its chief city.
The Empire State will be the Ma
tons battlefield in the approaching
campaign" Mr.. Hilles declared. and
called upon the entire State TO do its
part In the election.
A more definite and direct plea with
an eye on III. presidency vas mace
during the week By George K. Morris,
Chairman Of the Republican State COM
mittee. Mr.. Morris assigned to the
State committee the task of increa sin.
the Republican vote in the State on
next election day by $4,000. This
would mean an average increase OF ~
votes for each election district. Mr..
Morris admitted this could not be done
in some of them. but others could
easily go well above the average. Thu
factors favorins the program. Mr., Nor
ris outlined as follows:
New votes. presidential election year.
nearly 500 900 stay-at-llorles in 1925
and "a rousirg Republican victory ana
at Washington"
Once more clear evidence came Of
the particular person the Republican
leaders seem TO have in mind when
they are calling for increased G. Q. p
majoritieS-Goy. Smith, Mr.. Morris
although not mentioning any names. In
his call for action, said,
We can carry the State with
rousing plurality this year i! We work
for II, no matter who is nominated by
the Democrats The State IS normally
Republican. especially in presidential
years
An upstate district attorney. Gordon
II, Payne OF Orleans County, led of in
the attack on Gov. Smiths prohibition
views at the dry hearing IN the capitol.
The bills under consideration had as
their ultimate object the restoration Of
a State prohibition enforcement law III
New York. which has been wishou,
such statute since 1923 when Gov.
Smith signed the repeater Of the
Mullan-Ciage enforcement law.
1t is time for the governor who
talks about law enforcement ~ do
something about it," said District Az.
torney PAYNE My Ak has been taken
away and We, I am told TO defend the
people"
Hits Smiths Stand.
Mrs. n. Leigh Colyin State chair
man OF the womans Christian Tem-
perance Union. suggested that the
governor should have read the law he
fore he incorporated III his annual
message 10 the legislature a rsS,ommen-
dation that the constitution be
amended 10 make necessary popular
vote on any proposal 10 amend the
Federal Constitution before il rs;,,ica-
ton
The supreme Coart has dscreed,
she said, that only ratification by
State legislature Is necessary for ap-
proval'-teu the governor thai Cor
me"
THOMAS c. STOWEII-