The Washington times., 1929-01-03
OFFICIAL s.
APPLAUD /:
HEARST
PLAN

The plan Of william Randolph
Hearst for holding a $4,000 "compe-
ton of brains'' to blaze the trail for
the repeal of the Eighteenth Amend i.
ment was greeted with acclaim on
Capitol Hill today.
On all sides IL was admitted that
the Hearst contest would do more to
focus the American people on present
prohibition conditions than any other
event of the past decade.
Unstinted satisfaction was shown
by the leaders OF the so'called wet
bloc in both the House and Senate
over the initiative taken by Mr..
Hearst.
1t is a step which may force a pro-
hibition crisis, some Of these leaders
declared. One OF the most outspoken
of them was Senator William Caben
Bruce of Maryland, who throughout
his senatorial term has been deter
mined fighter against prohibition.
Delighted, He Says
IT am delighted over what Mr..
Hearst has done," said Senator
Bruce. 'It unQuestionably will do
more to promote the interest OF tenn.
perance in this country than any
mas AdPIClACtA 9AAA-g ~ SAteN@SASAAt
was foisted upon us.
"The adyantSe of the Hearst plan
is not only In the merit OF the pros
posal itself. but also in the unlimited
publicity which Mr.. Hearst's news
papers can give to the people.
"He can make his newspapers q
mighty weapon to drive home to
the public the real truth about
prohibition" the Senator continued.
Many of us in the Senate have
felt that the press has never really
revealed to the public the frightful
liquor conditions which now pre-
vail.
All Plans Worth While
"Mr. Hearst's contest win shine
in comparison with the ridiculous
outcome of the Durant competition.
1t has unlimited possibilities for
there will be hundreds OF papers
submitted in the contest by the
most brilliant observers in the coun-
try. All of the suggestions win be
worth while and viii receive the
close attention of the public.
Even more enthusiastic about the
contest was Representative SOL
Bloom, of New York. who announced
that he was out to win the $25, ,Oeg
prize and expected to do so.
"This is the best thing that Mr..
Hearst has ever done" said Repre-
sentative Bloom, Il cannot con.
| gratulate him too highly upon In.
/ aug1rafing this contest. have
| known Mr.. Hearst for many years
and never felt quite as enthusiastic
about any OF his plans as do about
/ this one
Public Ready for Truth
'There is no question that the
1 American public Is ready to receive
the truth about prohibition. All
that Is necessary now IS to nave
i tine proper vehicle by which the
truth may be told and retold, 20
the people. believe that Mr.
Hearst intends to do this.
senator Edwards Of New Jersey,
i one Of the outstanding vets of tine
i Senate, also commended Mr.
i 5earst's plan.
ne thinks its effect on the public
mind viii be greatly heightened by
reason Of the failure Of the Durant
contest.
i Holds Enforcement Impossible
senator Edwards ID outspoken in
/ his opinion that the Durant con.
| test clinched the fact that mo-
/ practicable method OF enforcing
prohibition can be found. He ex'
/ poets that the Hearst contest will
/ reveal 4 plan whereby the pres.
ent intolerable conditions win be
ended =
Representative LaGnardia of New
/ York. declared that Mr.. sHearst's s
contest constitutes 4 proper ave
nue. OF approach to a great prob
lem.
He appeared confident that the
competition would be OF great
/ value to the various groups now
seeking either to amend or to
repeal the Eighteenth Amendment.