The Washington times., 1930-11-07
DRY FOES OPEN
REPEAL DRIVE
IN NCONGRESS
Report of Wickersham Board
Expected to Aid Campaign;
Bloom Launches Move Here

The Wickersham Crime Com
mission, appointed by President
Hoover to study every phase oi
the prohibition problem, vii
probably favor the return OF Hgfn
wines and beer when 1t submits
its report to Congress IN De
cernber.
This was indicated today a
the "wet bloc" of Congress pre-
pared to launch an immediate
drive for the return Of wines
and beer to aid in relieving un
employment and provide millioni
in taxes, according to Representa-
tive Sol Bloom Cd Of New York
who returned to the Capital to
day to start the anti-prohibitior
drive based on the results o.
Tuesdays election.
Although ballots are still being
counted, Mr.. Bloom asserted
that the country had evidenced
a distinct anti-prohibition trenc
and the time is ripe for action
Forecasts Quarrel
His proposal new program
for the wet bloc"-forcaSt an
other legislative quarrel over pro
hibition this winter more bitter
perhaps, than that Of the last
session. He said:
"The election has shown that
the people are tired Of the
present system and want a
change. It has shown that the
sentiment for change Is grow.
ing and that there will be q
preponderant wet sentiment by
1892 at least.
"The dry candidates for Con-
Eress had . difficult time In
this election and they will have
q more difficult time In 1882.
''Why wait longer? The Wick
ersham law enforcement com
mission will soon make . report
and II will be to an extent favor
able to those opposing prOhi-
bitiOn.
"COnKresS should Immediately
amend the VOlstead act to pro
vide light wines and beer manu-
factured and sold under strict
Government supervision. with
the saloon Outlawed forever.
"The psychological effect
wOuId he to rive the people the
idea that good times are com
ing. Millions would be spent to
prepare for manufacture Of beer
and huge supplies Of farm prod
ucts would be bought.
Would Cut Taxes
"The Government would col
Iect hundreds Of millions q year
in taxes, thus averting any pos
sibiIity Of = deficit, and making
possible further tax reduction,
which would help business.
Other active anti-prohibition
members Of the house are ex
pected to return to Washington
within a few days to prepare fol-
their drive in the short session
although the house members
elected Tuesday do not take
office until March 4.
Leaders Of anti prohibition
organizations continued to claim
q smashing victory in the elec
ton with at least 145 members
Of the House favorable either tc
repeal Of the Eighteenth Amend
ment, modification of the Vol
stead act or q referendum.
Dry leaders, including F. Scott
Mcbride, superintendent of ths
Anti-S Saloon League, ninimized thG
wet gains.
DR.. Mcbride said the. drys hac
weathered q Democratic storm ir
good shape, and that both House.
will still be overwhelmingly ir
favor Of prohibition.
Envoy Questioned
Two incidents have been taker
as indications the Wickershan
Commission itself and possibly
President Hoover are giving re
newed consideration to the mat
ter.
John M. Morehead, American
Minister to Sweden, appeared be
fore the commission and while
WickerSham and other member
declined to give an inkling Of hi
testimony, it was virtually assured
he had been called to outline thG
Swedish form of government II
quor control.
In Sweden the purchase Of fou
quarts Of liquor a month is per
mitted each citizen beyond q Ger
tain age, and beer of approx
mately four per cent alcoholic
content by volume is legal.
The other incident was the re
call Of Prohibition Director Amos
w. w. Woodcock, from San Fran
cisco. He was en- route to Hawaii
on an inspection trip.
Assistant Attorney Genera
YoungquiSt, in charge Of the pro
hihition unit of the Department
Of Justice, declared Mr.. Wood
cock had been ordered back tx
washington by Attorney Genera
Mitchell in order to furnish some
data President Hoover requested
some weeks ago.
In some quarters it was be
lieved Mr.. Woodcock might gC
before the WickerSham commits
sion also,
--~nHMr