Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-19
W|CKERSHAM GETS
WATS0N'S SUPPORT
Senator's Attitude Indicates
President Will Not Comply
With CaraWay View.
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The prohibition suggestions made by
Chairman Wickersi1am Of the Presi-
dents Law Enforcement Commission In
the letter read to the governors con-
ference at New London, Conn, con-
tinued today to engage the attention OF
wet and dry members of Congress.
It was clearly established that the
President had no intention Of comply
ing with the demand Of Senator Cara
way, dry Democrat, of Arkansas for
the chairman's resignation on the
ground that he had sacrificed his use
fulness."
That conclusion was drawn from the
statement by Senator Watson of In
diana, Republican leader. in defense Of
the wickersham proposal that enforce
ment responsibility be definitely divided
between the Federal Government and
the States, which was coupled with his
suggestion that, II this were done, ma
tional and State laws might be modified
so as to become reasonable and en-
forceable."
Interpretation OF Watson.
The Republican leader, who Is closely
associated with President Hoover, inter-
preted the letter as urging that the
States do their full duty In enforcing
the eighteenth amendment"
Chairman Wickersham's statement"
he said, was an effort to enlist the
support of the States in doing their full
constitutional duty. The eighteenth
amendment left the States concurrent
power with the Federal Government to
enforce its provisions. Some of the
States have not exercised that power"
Senator Borah, Republican, Idaho,
dry leader and supporter Of the Prssi;
that Mr.. Wickersham had "at least Sue
ceeded in making it clear that he re-
CARDS the prohibition law as unenforce-
able" He declined to say whether
he thought President Hoover had seen
the letter before it was sent to Gov.
Roosevelt of New York, who read 1t to
the conference.
Merit Seen In Proposal.
Less reticent on that point, Senator
Tydings, wet Democrat, of Maryland de-
anything to do with It," but that he
ANSoA 0SA AZ 20 Gil OhOAV W SOO VAC ACe
action of the governors so that the
commission might study their views"
Although he is opposed to divided con-
troll" in prohibition enforcement, he saw
merit in the proposal" and held that
1t ''is move in the right direction"
showing that the men at the head Of
things are at least beginning to ques-
ton where we are headed"
Caraway Continues Attack.
The controversy between Senator
Caraway and Senator Watson was con-
tinued today by the former, who de-
clared the Wickersham letter was mot
an appeal to the States to do their full
constitutional duty" as Watson said,
but simply proposal for trade be-
tween the States and Federal Govern
ment" Of methods Of enforcement.
''Wickersham didn't even suggest
what Watson said he did," Caraway
declared. denying that former Gov.
Smith, In the campaign last Fall, re-
pudiated the Democratic dry platform,
as Watson had charged.
THAT isn't true" the Arkansan said.
II Smith said what Watson said he
did. nobody would have supported him.
Wickershan's proposal means nullifi-
cation of the Constitution, and Smith
consistently declared he would always
uphold all Of the laws on the books. "