The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1930-07-01
ILLINOIS AND THE SENATE HEARING
Interesting ghlghs of Campaign Repeal Illinois Prohibition
Brought in Congressional Hearings at Washington

Some scenes highly interesting to ILL
noisans were thrown on the political
screen in the recent congressional hear
ingS at Washington The testimony and
Subpoenaed correspondence about the IL
linois wet and dry battle mainly revolved
around the activities of Walter G.. Hooke,
of somewhere east, the $500 lobbyist of
the Association Against the Prohibition
Amendment, with an expense account of
$4427 in 1929. Mr.. Hooke worked in ILL
nois' legislative districts, and spent several
weeks at Springfield during the final days
of the last legislative session, directing
the fight to repeal our state prohibition
laws.
If there are Illinois drys who have felt
that there isn't much tangible wet or
ganized activity for the Anti-Saloon
League to combat during these days, they
will no doubt have that idea completely
dispelled by the inside facts of the wet
doingS as disclosed above. This is only
part of their activities brought out by
the committee. And much more, no doubt,
remains in the dark
The vets of Illinois are fighting with
thoroughness, boldness and defiance not
exceeded in the very heyday of their pros
perity and political dominance Of the
state.
On May 2, 1929, when the wet bill to
repeal the Illinois prohibition act was
pending in the senate, Mr.. Hooke wired
Major Henry Curran, $4,000 year gen.
eralissimo of the national Association
Against the Prohibition Amendment, as
follows:
Bill reported without recommended
tion This at least gives us a chance
for vote in the sNlate. Really a
great victory Judiciary committee
IL.
row.
WALTER G.. HooKE.
Again little later he wrote to Mr. Cur
ran:
Dear Henry: Briefly the situation
here 8. as follows:
The result will rest with doWn-state
senators entirely Thiele's organization
is working sensibly and very efficient
ly to effect change in six voters. He
and I go to Springfield tomorrow
where I can size the situation for
myself. Have interviewed many people
and no one except Thiele believes
there is a chance to win. He is modest
and makes no promises, but he is
hopeful and with yon1e help he thinks
there is a chance. He impresses me
most favorably. complete report on
him when I return.
His present tactics call for as much
delay as possible to allow time to
work on the "boys back home"
Outside of the legislative situation,
this state seems ripe for intensive
work, but the greatest tact will be re-
CURED Thiele has been absolutely UNI
known, likewise his organization to
dozen men I have talked with
Schmidt, who wrote to you regarding
an organization, is young, local poll
tician in the better sense of the word,
and is keen to run his own show; he
has already a group of over 200. He
doesn't know Schmidt But their
spirit is fine and their plans are not
visionary.
Nav I call on either Mr.. Crane or
Mr. Field, our directors here, to have
substantial inquiries made concern
ing these men? Please wire me at
Springfield, care st. Nicholas hotel.
shall stop there instead of the Leland
house, making the change at Thielcss
suggestion. 1t is the political head
quarters.
Will wire you when leave Spring
fed, also send you from there more