Evening star., 1928-06-22
DRY ISSUE TOSSED
IN HOUSTON ARENA
Mack. Smith Sponsor, Opens
Question as Others Try
to Dodge 1t.

By the Associated Press,
HOUSTON, Tex, June 22.-The pro-
hihltion question has been thrown
souarsly into the Democratic national
convention here even before the opening
of the headquarters of Alfred E. Smith.
Although all along 1t has been a
sn~oulderinx issue, brought at times 10
q nsre OF fame, series or developments
both here and in New York State mas
served to center attention on the eues-
tjcn At a time when the Smith men par
ticulsrle we're hoping to avoid any open
rift on the subject.
7, was one of Smiths foremost sup
rnrters. Norman Z. Mack. natlonal COM
rnitteeran from New York, who mao
vertentlv opene6 up anew the prohini-
,ion discussion Less than week IN
advance Of the gathering OF the natlonal
democracy he issued statement IN
which he declared that Gov. smith was
opposed TO prohibition anc STOOD ior
temperance.
Held His Own Opinion.
This was accepted in some quarters as
~ expresSion of the governors own
IIews ana. while Mack denied this, eN-
rlaining that he voiced only his own
cniuion. the discussions had gathered
h.sdway with full prospect that aheS
would increase in intensity as cohfeh-
tion time approached,
THE eovernor got into the controversy
during the day, declaring in New YORK
CITY. in response to question, tnat MS
helief that there should be amendment
OF the present prohibition provisions
had not changed. This vas seized upon
hv the drys. who already are afriVing
here in force, 10 demand an ultra-oEy
nIank in the party platform and TO OPP
ace the nomination of any wet candi-
date
while this turn of pre-conventicn
events appeared to give some concern
10 the Smith supporters, they still ex-
pressed full confidence that their ia
vorite would be nominated early In the
halloting. In contrast with their con-
f1dence. Smith opponents ciung to the
hone they could prevent his nomination.
To win. it will be necessary for
Smith to muster 7SS Is OF the l.l00
convention votes. The New York eXecu-
tives managers are assuring incoming
Sunrorters that he has more than $50
ys1ses 6eanitely lined UP and that the
necessary remainder will be obtained
esrly in the balloting, which is expected
to begin Thursday, two Gays after the
convention meets.
Reed Due Tonight.
TIE driving force of the Smith oppo-
sstion is expected to be furnished with
tire arrival here tonight OF Senator
lanes A. Reed Of Missouri. He is COM
irr "a press his own candidacy for the
nsr,ocrstic nomination and has served
Yofice that he intends TO fight 10 the
nnish.
the rounds of hotel Hobbies and other
places where leaders gather Is where
the favcrite son votes IN the convention
viii 20 when the break comes IN the
haIictirr. The Smith men candidiy
concede that they have little enance OF
eating some of this strength, but they
are looking with considerable confidence
on A. least part of the delegations from
such favorite son States a. Ohio, In
diana. Nebraska and Kansas. As they
see il. II they can pick up batch OF
votes from those States, nomination OF
their favcrite will be assured.
Tfae dynamic Reed will throw himself
yri-n1e -heartedly into the fight after his
arrival and win have the assistance OF
such men Of his organization as Sam
Foreyce, his campaign manager. and
Charles Howell Of Kansas City. who Is
20 risce his name before the cenven-
ten
Reed is not . delegate to the con-
eentinn. but sorne thought has been
given by his advisers to the adviSability
Of having him take q seat by proxy.
.hlu clearing the way for him to sit on
the piatforna committee IL he SO wished
and to address the convention II the
situation shaped up so that he. would
regard this course as desirable.
Conferences 70 start.
There have been indications. how
ever. that this course viii not be fol-
lesFed. A definite decision awaits the
arrival Of the Missourian and confer
encss Immediately viii begin with his
political lieutenants and his leading
supporters IN several States.
The 16ea of those opposing Smith
II not 80 much 10 form q coalition
as 10 hold out a block of votes suffi-
cient 10 prevent his attaining two
thirds majority. If they are success
fui in doing this, they feel that the
convention eventually and on a COM
psrstively early ballot will begin to turn
70 some other candidate
The candidates and leaders actually
opposing Smith have vigorous support
from the dry organizations of the coun-
try. spokesnen for whom are mapping
out program Of rallies for Sunday and
Monday in an effort TO influence the
delegates against the nomination of a
candidate whom they regard as wet
Another candidate besides Reed viii
reach Houston today. He is George of
Georgia, who has the Endorsement of
his State organization and is expected
70 draw some strength from Florida,
Alabama and perhaps South Carolina
and some other Southern States.
George viii open headquarters at the
Rice Hotel, where Smith. Reed and
Coroel HUI Of Tennessee already have