Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-31
WHITE W|THDRAWS
Z SMITH CHARGES
Only Accusations as to Votes
for Saloon Stand. Edi-
tor Says.

/ % AhS ASSOCIATED FFeSS
NEW YORK. July 3l-Willianl Allen
White, Kansas editor. today withdrew
his charges against Gov. Smiths legis-
lative record so far as bills governing
/ gambling and prostitution were con-
cerned, because, he said, he did not wish
to question the motive of the Demo-
cratic presidential nominee.
While allowing his contention that
Gov. Smith had consistently voted for
the saloon TO stand, Mr.. White said
OF his other charges, II could not in
good conscience press this issue, realiz-
ing that Gov. Smith, whom greatly
admire for his many high qualities.
feels that my charges question the pur-
ny OF his motives. which always should
be granted In any political controversy.
Yesterday, talking 70 Walter Linn
mann OF the World, friend of Gov
Smith and Of mine for many years I
learned that Gov. Smith was deeulv
agsrieved that / should charge him
with protecting gambling and prosti-
tuition in his Assembly record. / can
understand, after considering what Mr.
Llppmann said, that the governor il,
casting those votes against those re-
form nilE might honestly have felt that
the oiiis were unconstitutional, or were
not enforceable, or infringed upon per-
sonar ioerty, or encouraged police
blackmail.
But Gov. Smith certainly is entitled
70 lar treatment. always have tried
70 Hgnt ia1r. have never consciously
9uestaoneo any mans motives, and so
TINS morning, before the morning papers
nave come and before I know what II
any, reply Gov. Smith has made to NV
statement OF yesterday. desire to with
draw the charges formally in so far as
they affect his votes on gambling and
prostitution, but not his position as to
the saloon, ~ ~
On the question Of the menace of
Tamnany and of Gov. Smiths Tam
many record for the open saloon. the
Whoie issue OF the campaign is coming
Other Questions Passing.
Organized, protected prostitution Is
quickly passing out Of American life.
and that Issue is not vital; but. vital or
not, could not IN good conscience press
this issue.
SO the 10 or dozen votes on gam
bling and prostitution come out Of the
record. hope now American news
papers, and particularly Republican
newspapers, viii give the same consid-
Grafton 10 this statement that they gave
to my statement yesterday"
Mr.. White last night had made pub
tfF fl9G rREIfifc NF tha fxxyf.- xFyank ts4As
made for him Of the New York Assem-
bly, Journal TO show the record OF Gov
Alfred e. Smith as it affects the saloon
and the allies of the saloon, made by
him as Assemblyman during the first
dozen years Of his political career"
The record shows, Mr.. White said
that as a member Of the Assembly Gov
Smith favored the old~time wide open
untrsmmelIed, unreguiated saloon" and
voted against measures introduced for
the purpose Of putting restrictions upon
II.
Smiths Idea of Saloon.
Gov. Smiths record on the saloon a
dozen or 20 years ago Is chiefly impor-
tant today In view Of the fact that he
defied the platform Of the Democratic
party and promised 10 introduce
liquor plan of his own" Mr.. White said.
His record shows what his idea was Of
good saloon when he was Tammany
assemblyman."
Mr. White pointed out that the rec
ORD was 1ade when Coy. Smith was a
young man
1T is. of course. unfair To Judge Gov.
Smith today by the records Of 20 years
ago bit still something Of his view
point may be found In that record" Mr.
Whites statement declared.
Then. We may assume that this
model ta49on which Al If h. has not
changed his mnid since 1909 the
}on which be would restore 10 the
American people would be vide open
from O'Clock In the Bsrning TIL far
into the night could be within 200 feet
Of schools and churches, could be op~
Grated by = man who could not be
oiigted fer violating the law II he could
control the Judge before whom he was
tried and get suspended sentence.
Would Prevent OustinE.
And We find finally a record 10 pre-
gent the people Of the neighborhood
from voting IN Dust the saloon even
lhpngh 80 per cent Of the neighbors
petition for an election. Here is the
vide open, untfammelled unfegulated
saloon of the good old days. Here. In
deed might Gov Smith put his foot 0n
/ the bar and blow on the fFotfl rs he
! publicly vsarned to do in an interview
/ With the Aew York Times In 1923"
| Referring ~ q bill in 1910 which
would have restricted the number OF
| CONTINUED on Page s. Column 30
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