Evening star., 1928-03-17
WILLIS STRESSES
DRY ISSUE IN OHIO
Senator Holds Candidates
Must Take Definite Stand
Without Equivocating.
RY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press
LANCASTER, Ohio, March l7.--With
what appeared TO be an indirect shot at
Herbert Hoover, prohibition was brought
to the fore in Ohio's Republican pri-
mary campaign here today by Senator
speech that the voters this year will
stand for no dodging on the issue by
presidential candidates
Campaigns cannot be won by eva
sion." said the Senator, who is fighting
II out with the Commerce Secretary for
Ohio's 81 delegates to the Kansas City
convention. Consequently. In the con-
test OF 1928 1t may as we'll be under
stood at the outset that the people will
demand and are entitled TO receive def
mite and unequivocal assurance OF the
position OF candidates regarding the
eighteenth amendment and the enforce
ment of law.
Evasi0ns Assailed.
Voters will respect candidates or
parties that clearly state their posi-
ton, but they will not give their sup
port 10 those who seek TO eQuivocate.
to evade and 10 camoufiage Partial
answers will not do. The statement Of
principles must be definite and cour-
ageous: otherwise, defeat will come. 1t
Is too late in the history of the Repub-
lican party for 1t otread the paths OF
cowardice or notification"
With this, MIR. Willis dismissed the
subject In the speech prepared for de-
livery here. not far from Westerville.
birthplace OF the Anti-Saloon League
which, In the past. has consistently
supported him in his political CAM
paign3.
In connection with prohibition and
law enforcement he made no direct
reference 10 Mr. Hoover, who, like him.
has replied TO the dry law question:
naire of Senator Borah Of Idaho. In
his reply the Commerce Secretary,
while taking q stand for rigid prohibi-
ton enforcement and against repeal Of
the eighteenth amendment, refrained
from answering specifically the queries
whether he favored II dry law plank
In the Republican platform and would
leave IL to the States TO determine the
alcoholic content OF liquor.
Challenges Secretary.
Senator Willis, In his speech, re-
Sumed his attack on Mr.. Hoover on the
ground that his Republicanism Is not
genuine, that he was Wilson follower
on the League Of Nations issue, that
he Is opposed to the protective tarif
and that he has worked against the
best interests of the American farmer
Willis charged that the Ohio ''polit-
ical bosses" were for Hoover. and
added
There never was more absurd and
indefensible deceit than the claim that
the delegation pledged TO support my
candidacy Is hAnd-picked and that the
delegation representing Secretary HooV-
CT represents the free choice OF the
people Such Characterization Is the
exact reverse of the fact"
The Ohio Senator advocated retention
Of present immigration restrictions. with
slight notifications to prevent hard
ships among families, and protection by
the United States OF Central America
from "rapine and lawlessneas."
In addition 10 assailing Hoover anew
on the farm relief question. Willis said
that, In his judgment, before Congress
adj0urns II will enact. and ought to en-
act. measure Of adequate farm 10"
lief"
Although there have been reports
that the Senator Is leaning toward the
McNary Haugen bill. which he opposed
before IL was modified into itE present
form, he gave no inkling In his pre-
pared address that this was the case,
and Tetrained from outlining just what
kind OF farm bill he believed should
be passed