New Britain herald., 1930-12-06
VETS PLATED BY
 INCREASED VOTE
House Bloc Loses Fight But
 Polls Better Ballot

Washington, Dec. (UP)-Mem- bers of the house wet bloc express cd satisfaction today at the outcome of their first prohibition battle of the new session. They professed 10 find no cause for discouragement in the drys' one sided victory.
 Instead the group led by Rep. Linthcum, dem, Md, whose effort to ban poisoning of industrial al- cohol failed so overwhelmingly yes terday, was planning another thrust at the dry law when the justice de- partment appropriation bill comes up. A determined effort will De made, it was said, 10 eliminate a $2,000,000 fund sought by Prohibit ton Director Amos W. ". Wood cock to provide for addition of 500 new federal dry agents.
 Poll Twice Usual Vote
 The chief reason for the vets op- timism after failure of yesterdays assault on prohibition appropriations in the treasury-post office supply bill, was said to lie in the vote upon the Linthicum poison alcohol amendment The drys killed this proposal, 106 to 54, but the vets boiled twice as many votes as they did when a similar amendment was defeated last January. The vote then was 107 to 27.
 With numerous wet and dry or ganizations scheduled to meet here
  cussion today concerning the possi- bility of showdown on . na- tional prohibition referendum. This brought a statement from Ernest H. Cherrington. general secretary Of the World League Against Alcohol ism, who decried such proposals. He said a referendum probably would cost the friends of prohibition at least $25,0O0,000" and bring many difficult, practical problems"
 It was pointed out by some that Cherrington's attack on the refererl- dunn proposals indicated there might be a sharp division of opinion at the national temperance conference on Monday. pr. Clarence True Wilson of the Methodist Board of Temper ance. Prohibition and Public Morals, has been outspoken in favor of a referendum, although stipulatinY that the vets must first present some substitute for the 18th amendment. Cherrington is a leader in the Anti Saloon league.
 Explains Attitude
 In his statement, Cherrington ex- plained the $25,000,O00 expenditure estimated by pointing out the nation las about 100000 voting precincts and that it would be necessary 10 have watchers, checkers and paid workers for each. In addition, he said, there would be the cost of dis tributing literature, holding mass meetings and "a host of other de- tails"
 "A handful of wet millionaires might easily write few checks covering a parallel expenditure for the wet group" Cherrington said.
 Movements designed to bring about legalization of beer were de- plored at an prohibition rally last night by Rep. Mary Norton, democrat, N. J., militant member of the house vet bloc.
 Beer is not the important ques- ton of this controversy" Mrs. Nor ton told the Women's Organization for National Prohibition Reform. While it is true the manufacture Of beer would help the unemploy ment situation at this time, it would rot solve the real question involved.
 Senator Tydings, dem., Maryland, and Mrs. Carroll Miller of Pitts hurgh, democratic national commit teewoman from Pennsylvania, also attacked the dry law at the women's gathering.