New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-10-06
SObRlETY Charge
CAUSES ARGUMENT
Smiths Attorney and Minister
Engage 10 Controversy

Albany. N. Y. Oct. 8 N-A
charge involving the sobriety Of Gov
ernor Smith. alleged to have been
made last August in Indiana by the
Rev. Manning e. Van Nostrand.
pastor of Emmanuel Baptist church
Of this city. was q subject of con-
troversy today between Edward g.
Griffin. counsel to the democratic
presidential nominee. and the Al
bany minister.
In a statement issued from the
executive chamber at the state capi-
toll last night. Mr.. Griffin said COM
munication had been received there
some time ago saying that the Rev.
Mr.. Van Nostrand had made q
statement at Bible conference in
Winona Lake. Ind. that Gov. Smith
was SO intoxicated when he was
trying to talk over the radio inn
mediately after he was nominated
at Houston that two men had to
hold him up"
Visits OFFICE
On receipt of this communication.
MIR. Griffin said. the minister visited
the executive offices at the COVER
nor's request and was asked. In the
presence of the governor. himself
and George B. Graves. the governors
secretary, after the letter had been
read to him, the direct question
did you ever make any such state
ment about me?"
Mr.. Griffin said the minister then
asked the governor whether the
writer Of the letter said that he
(the minister) had made the state
ment directly to the writer" where
upon the letter again was read and
the question repeated.
Il never said it." the minister was
quoted as replying.
Since that conference, MIR. Griffin
said an affidavit. signed by Mrs 4.
J. Wickard and sworn to September
II. last. had been received here, in
which the signer deposed that on
August %. while in attendance at a
Bible class at Winona Lake, she
heard lone DIR. Van NosterIand (af-
fidavit spelling) supposedly from
Albany. N. Y" make a statement
substantially as quoted by Mr.. Grit
fin from the communication he re-
ceived and that the minister also
said the governor ION another occa-
sion in the railroad station where
Mr. Smith was preparing to board a
train he was under the influence of
liquor and was passing 1t around to
men and ladies' in his party"
Made OH ROStrum
Mr.. Griffins statement added that
Mrs. Wickard further says that
these statements were made on a
public rostrum or platform at
Winona Lake, evidently with the in
tent of belittling the character End
personality of said Alfred 4. Smith
who is now candidate for president
of the United States"
The Rev. Mr.. Nostrand who has
been q pastor in Albany for ten
years and is graduate of the
Rochester Divinity school, gave his
side of the controversy soon after he
heard OF Mr.. Griffin's statement. He
said he had not made the charge
that the governor was Intoxicated"
the Sunday following his nomination,
but added that at the time he was
questioned about the incident in the
executive chamber the governor did
not ask me if had made any SINH
lar statement, or II | had made any
other statement concerning him to
the effect that he had been intoxi-
Gated or that he drank"
When asked specific questions in
Indiana concerning the nominee.
the minister said he did make the
statement that / had been inform
ed that upon one occasion, when
Gov. Smith had broadcast he was
SO intoxicated that he had to be
supported by two persons
Il also made the statement in
Indiana" the minister added, that
had been informed that ON the
Sunday following his nomination
the governor went TO New York anu
that when he was in the Albany sta
ton he had been drinking. ! also
made the statement that in my
opinion if anyone asked the COVER
nor the direct question as to wheth-
er or not during his occupancy Of
that high office he had used intoxi-
eating liquors or had been drink
ing man that the governor welal
admit that he had done So"
The Rev. Mr.. Van Nostrand said
he further stated in Indiana that
he had never read or heard any
denial by the governor himself that
he was a drinking man: but the
only denials had heard of were
made by others and l did not be-