Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-23
DEMOCRATIC DRyS
SET FOR WET FIGHT
RaSkob Stand on Prohibition
Feared as National Group
Meets March 5.

BY the Associated Press.
Whatever intentions Chairman Ras-
kob may or may not have In regard
to lining up the Democratic National
Committee on the wet side of the
prohibition fence. dry members of the
group are set for an aggressive try.
at squelching any such plan.
The committee will meet here March
S, at the chairmans call. Future
policies. he announced, will form q
topic for discussion. Rumors have
been current a resolution is being
framed to push this steering group OF
the party off the prohibition fence.
The rumors have not been denied.
Dry Democrats Angry.
Some Of the dry Democrats on Cap
itol Hill have been reused to a fever
heat of activity Yesterday Senator
Morrison of North Carolina, baby men,
Der of the Senate, but no newcomer to
national politics, asserted his group had
sufficient votes to defeat any wet res
olution. He is North Carolina's ma
tional committeeman. Other Demo-
cratic leaders in Congress are trying
to head of the issue by having the
rumored resolution shelved now.
George Seeks Delay.
Senator George of Georgia has
Joined this group asserting the COM
mittee has no right to form party
policies, a function he holds belongs
to the National Convention. This view
has been communicated to the chair
man. Incidentally, active drys count
upon the support of Senator Robinson
OF Arkansas in a pinch. He was the
running mate of Alfred z. Smith on
the 1928 ticket and is party leader in
the Senate.
While prohibition engrossed most Of
the agitated Democrats, one, Repre-
sentative Hull Of Tennessee, came
forward yesterday with an expression
of concern that an undercover effort
was impending to give the party COM
mittee a high tariff program Re-
Gently he called upon the party to
assert vigorous stand opposed to Re-
publican tariff policies.
Candidates Blossom.
The impending meeting, already
drawing interest away from the closing
days OF Congress, has brought out a
crop OF presidential candidates Most Of
those being doomed are far from dry.
Gov. Roosevelt of New York. remains
the most discussed possibility here, but
the names of Gov. Richie OF Maryland
and Senator-elect James Hamilton
Lewis of Illinois are among those being
advanced by friends
Meanwhile Nicholas Longworth Of
Ohio is considered certain to be the
Republican candidate for Speaker of
the next Congress.
Little Opposition Seen.
The selection will be made at the
party caucus next Thursday Many
members high In the Republican ranks
said today there would be no opposition
to Longworth, who now is serving his
third term as presiding officer of the
House.
At the same time John @. Tilson of
Connecticut Is expected to be renomi-
mated as Republican floor leader.
A move by Republican independents
has been initiated to obtain liberaliza-
ton of House rules and patronage
recognition. Whatever action Is taken
along that line, the independents are
not expected by leading Republicans to
gain much support In any move to Gust
Longworth.
Because of the close division between
the Democrats and Republicans neither
party knows which will organize. The
Republicans have 2l8 seats, the Demo-
Gratis ZIG, counting two vacancies, and
the Farmer-Labor party, /.
Representative Garner OF Texas, the
Democratic leader, is slated as his
party's candidate for Speaker. Should
the Republicans organize Garner would
remain minority leader.