Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-05
Asks New Constitutional
Amendment to Supplement
Eighteenth With Referen-
dunn to Govern System.
HOLDS PROHIBITION LAW
WILL BE MAJOR ISSUE
Chairman Says He Will Suggest
Committee Adopt Policy for Ma
tional Convention Next Year at
Meeting to Be Called at Later
Date.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.


Chairman John j. RaSkob OF
the Democratic National Commit
tee declared today for State con-
trcl of the liquor traffic, in an ad-
dress before the National Commit
tee at the Mayfiower Hotel.
He said that he did not advo-
cate the repeal of the eighteenth
amendment.
But I propose a new constitu-
tional amendment" said Mr..
Raskob.
Referendum Plan Urged.
He said that this new amend
ment would declare that nothing
il the eighteenth amendment
shall prevent a State from con-
trolling the manufacture and sale
of alcoholic liquor for beverage
purposes, provided first the State
adopted a liquor control plan, and
the plan was approved in a refer
endum to the people of the State.
MIR. Raskob said that he proposed
that the Democratic National Commit
tee advise the next Democratic Ma
tional Convention to write a plank en-
bodying this new constitutional amend
ment in its party platform.
Earlier in the day Mr.. Raskob told
the committee that ne would not ask
the committee to take action on any
party policy at this time, but that he
would suggest that the committee act
on his proposals az later meeting,
probably next year.
Held Major Issue.
The Democratic chairman expressed
the opinion that prohibition would un-
doubtedly be a major issue in the COM
ing national campaign. Under the plan
which he suggested, he said, New York
! State would be able to work out liquor
control plan, and if it were adopted by
/ the people, it would become effective.
Massachusetts,, he said, might adopt a
( different plan from that OF New YORK.
[ The Southern States, Mr.. Raskob
[ said he understood, wished to remain
; dry. Under his plan they could do so
[ and have the help of the Federal Gov
/, eminent to maintain prohibition within
! their borders.
/ His plan, Mr.. Raskob said. squared
( with the Jeffersonian plan for States
/ rights. He insisted that under this
: plan the saloon could not return. 1t
would be impossible, he said, to per-
Suade a majority of the people in any
State to vote for plan Of liquor con-
troll which made the old saloon possible.
Favors State Conventions.
SIT is impossible to call ourselves
Democrats and not give the people an
opportunity to adopt such constitu-
tional amendment If they desire" said
Mr.. Raskob.
He pointed out that it would require
SO out of the AZ States to ratify th9
proposed constitutional amendment.
His plan contemplates having the g|o-
posed amendment acted upon by State
conventions called for that purpose,
and not by State Legislatures.
Drys Fail to Applaud.
When Mr.. Raskob concluded the
reading Of his address, great majority
Of the committee members rose and
applauded. There were, however, dry
Democrats who remained seated and
who did not applaud, among them Cor
dell Hull. Senator elect from Tennessee,
and former Gov. Harry Byrd Of Virginia
In addition TO his recommendations
about prohibition, Chairman Raskob
recommended that the National Com
mittee go on record that meeting be
held about the end of this year or
the first of next" favoring a f1ve-day
work week He also urged the commit
tee to recommend at that time that the
national convention should write into
its platform plan Ito take the tariff
out Of politics" and TO provide for the
appointment Of bipartisan tariff
commission, members of which will be
appointed for life.
He also submitted communications
( for strengthening the national party
: organization, for leadership which
would not attack business, for social
welfare, and for certain revisions OF
| the Sherman antitrust law.
Referring to his proposal for Statt
: control. Mr.. Raskob said:
Under this plan If the State OF New
York worked out a liquor control plar
similar TO the Swedish system and thai
plan was submitted 10, and approved
by a referendum OF the people Of tht
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