New Britain herald., 1930-02-13
WOMEN VETS AT
 HEARING PROPOSE
 LAW REFERENDUM

LAW REFERENDUM.
 Continued From First PaGc) referendum on prohibition and ar gucd that the voters should be giV cn chance to present their views.
 After she concluded with the dec Iaration that repeal of the cigh- tcenth amendment would ''rcstore the government of our forefathers" in the form that existed before adoption of the amendment, she in troduccd the other women who spoke for a change in the law.
 Urges Majority Rule
 Dressed in a trimly tailored suit of black crepe dc chine, she said . normal American citizen, re- gardlcss of beliefs on the 18th amendment, would readily concur in the principle that the amend mcnt should not remain in the con- stitution without majority approval of the people of the United States.
 Then she argued that actual voters be given an opportunity to express themselves and added;
 ''The repeal of the 18th amend mcnt would restore us the same constitutional government adopted by our forcfathcrs before the 18th amendment was adopted. It would grant. instead of deny, the right Of local self government to the states
 Mrs. Charles II. Sabin followed her to the witness chair. She also was dressed in black. She is for mcr republican national committee woman from New York and repre- scntcd the womcn's organization for national prohibition reforms.
 At first, the women of the land, she said, thought that prohibition would strengthen q weak character. They are now rea1lzlnG "lth hoartburnings and heart aching,' she asserted. "that if the spirit is not within, legislation can be of no avail"
 Applaud Ono Statement Applause rang from the specta- tors when she added: 'They thought they could make prohibition as strong as the constitution but in stead they have made the constitu tion as weak as prohibition.' Next to testify was Mrs. Davi1 Holmes Morton of Brooklyn. She nf In Won1pn'c 'nm mittce for Repeal of the Eighteenth | Amendment.
 We demand outright, uncquivo- cal repeal of the eighteenth amend mcnt, free from modification, con- promise or substitute" she declared adding that it was up 10 congress to work out details of how this should be done.
 Miss Louise Gross Of New York, chairman of the National Womcn'5 i Moderation League, appeared after 1 Mrs. Morton.
 National prohibition has failed l in it's purpose" she said. "Young people are drinking liquor obtained ! in spcake eascs, at roadhouscs and l from bootleggcrs who cannot be regulated. The youth of our coun- i try is being destroyed by those un- regulated and illegitimatc purveyor4 of liquor.'
 When she concluded Mir. Bruce Of Maryland, d former senator and one of the most caustic critics of prohibition, began his testimony.
 The two determined feminine op- poncnts of prohibition held the cen- ter of attention as the committee opened it's second hearing.
 Their presence in the committee room overshadowcd even the eN- pcctation of the vets for q general dCnunciation of the dry laws by l William Cabcl Bruce of Maryland one Of the most cauStiC critics ot these statutes who has spoken in congress since the amendment WAS enacted ten years ago. Bruce is q former senator from the "old line state.
 The two women were Mrs. Sabil and Rep. Norton. The latter Was the first to take the stand. Just be. fore she began tcstifying, the com. mttce decided to sit most of tn: day instead of holding only a morn ing session as it did upon the open. day of the hearings yesterday.
 Most of Audience Women
 Most of the audience agair today was made up of women. Mrs Norton is author of one of the reso lutions 10 repeal the 18th amend mcnt, She explained her measure which would amend the constitution to permit referendum on tn, [ eighteenth amendment.
 Mrs. Norton stood barchcadcd be , fore the committee. She wore nos'
 glasses with a broad ribbon. He f black purse rested on a table bcfor' crepe q" chine dress. She wor . black suede shoes and sheer ChffoI f hose.
 Mrs. Norton said referendum I would give voters the privilege 0
 registering their own will. v "Thc drys express their contidonc f that they have an oVerWhClmln { majority of the people of the Jnitc' S States in favor Of the eightecnt I amendment" she said. If so, wh l should they not welcome this test I Why should they not welcome tn
 direct approval Of the ciGhtcent
 amendment by the people them
 selves. the approval which the pee
 portunity to express?
 |, "EcgardlcsS of their conviction