Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1928-08-17
Reversed Plumfuer IuterroQates
LEWIS ON VoLsrEAD ACT. LEWIS ANSWERS
AND ASKS QUESTION OF ZIHLMAN AND
REVEREND PLUMMER.

| FANp Aoho NUESllON VI LinLMAN AND
REVEREND PLUMMER.
St. Pauls Church.
United Brethren in Christ,
Haeerstown, Nd.
F. Berry Plummer, D. D. Minister,
100 East Fraklin Street.
July 10, 1928.
Hon. David ]. Lewis.
Cumberland, Md.
Dear Sir:
Your campaign material. THE Country's
View of David j. Lewis. aye Shall Know
Them By Their Fruits" etc., has been re-
ceived. have searched through this ma
terial in vain to find what your attitude
is toward one Of the outstanding questions
in the political life of America today
refer to the prohibition question.
You will agree with me ! am sure, in
the light Of the discussions at Kansas City
and Houston and in the constant news
paper agitation on the subject. that the
prohibition question and the enforcement
of the provisions of the 18th Amendment
AND the Volstead Act are among the most
important political questions In America
at the present time. What is your atti-
tude toward these QuestionsS What will
be your attitude II elected to Coneressi
Washington county voted dry before the
18th Amendment was put in the Consti-
tuition. Washington county Is still dry.
We Washington countians are very much
interested in this matter, as much so as
we are interested in any question.
l shall appreciate very much a clear,
non-evasive statement from you on this
question.
Very sincerely yours.
F. BERRY PLUMMER.
David J. Lewis.
10 South Centre Street.
Cumberland Md.
July 21st, 1928.
My dear Doctor Plummer:
am in receipt Of yours of the 18th in
slant. In replying to it. | must ask your
indulgence for week or more because of
intensive occupation in my campaign and
meetings scheduled for tonight and each
night and until August 18th. inclusive.
Since the subject Of your inquiry is of
public character, think 1t desirable that
all correspondence should be made avail
BILE to the public. Assuming that such
treatment is satisfactory to you. lam
Very sincerely yours.
DAVID J. LEWIS.
August 7. 1928.
F. Berry Plummer. D. D. Minister.
St. Paul's Church.
United Brethren in Christ.
Hagerstown. Maryland.
August z, 1928,
My dear Rev. Plummer:
In further reference to your letter Of the
18th ult, directed to me as q candidate for
Congress. and its inquiries:
(a) As to my attitude in respect to the
enforcement of the 18th Amendment and
the VOlstead Act, and
(b) As to my attitude on the prohibition
question generally.
answer | have obeyed the Eighteenth
Amendment and the Prohibition Act in let
ter and in spirit ever since they became the
laws Of the land. II is my purpose TO
continue doing so. II a Member Of Con-
Rress, shall vote to pass the appropria-
tons necessary to enforce this as well as
other laws. and give it the much needed
example of bona flde personal obedience
as an officer of the Government of the
United States. lmake this statement with
out any mental reservation or purpose OF
evasion" to use the language of the oath
taken by Member Of Congress.
| believe the above statement fully an
swers your question (a) as to enforcement
of, and obedience to, prohibition laws, pro-
pounded to me because an, a candidate
| for Congress.
| And now, in good faith, DR.. Plummer,
ask you to transmit this question to the
other candidate for Congress-, the Honor
able Frederick N. Zihlman, in order that
the public may have answers giving equal
information of the attitude of both candi
dates, to-wit:
Have you. Mr.. Zihlman. given faithful
obedience 10 the VOlstead Act, for which
you voted; or is it true. as generally stated
that you have been violating the Act al
pleasure. since its passage T.
At this point. and without reference 10
Mr. Zhlman's conduct or answer, | VISIT o
ask you, Doctor Plummer, as one sincerely
concerned In observance Of the VOlstead
Act, first. do you consider the man salts
| factory representative in Congress of the
temperance views Of the people of the
Sixth Congressional District who should
habitually violate the Volstead Act for
which ehad voted; second. or that law
breaker. himself, should be selected to vote
taxes on the people TO compel the Obedi-
ence of others; OF third. do you not believe
ttat the example of such a law-breaking
member of Congress would tend strongly
to encourage disObedience to the Act in
question. especially among those not sworn
to obey il, as a member OF Congress is
Having initiated this inquiry, as ! be-
lieve you have. only for the purpose OF
bringing information to our fellow citizens
as to the fitness OF the candidates to rep.
resent them on this subject, expect an
answer from you to these three questions
worthy Ct your motives and courage.
lnasmuch as the immediate problem of
the present Prohibition Law is first, one
Of obedience, and second. Of enforcement
| where obedience fails. calling for the ut.
most good faith in government officials
including the Representative in Congress.
| shall await the answer Of Mr.. Zihlman
to the question submitted to him before
proceeding further with your inquiry (b)
the prohibition question in general. The
public Is entitled to know the attitude" of
both candidates and to weigh them equally
at the same time, and you will. Of course
desire 10 develop this information in an
impartial way as between Mr.. Zihlman
and myself ! have frankly stated my
attitude on the question Of obedience 10
the law aud its enforcement. The court
| is now sitting. | respectfully submit it 10
now Mr.. Zihlmans turn to answer.
Sincerely yours.
DAVID j. LEWIS.
Declaring that man personally WEI and
politically dry is better as a candidate than
one personally dry. but who might be po-
litically wet, the Rev. F. Berry Plummer.
Haeerstown dry leader. said that he had
no intention Of asking Representative Fred
erick N. Zihlman. Republican dry seeking
reelection in the Sixth District. what his
personal drinking habits are.
Notice 10 creditors