The Bismarck tribune., 1931-09-24
CONVENTION VOTES
TO ASK CONGRESS
FOR POPULAR VOTE
Would Have States Submit Is
sue to Voters For Decision
of Question
NORTH DAKOTA GOES WET
FIickertaiI Delegation Supports
Plan 13 to 3; Majority
Is Large
NORTH DAKOTA GOES WET

Detroit, Sept. 24-(R1-The Amer.
lean Legion national convention to-
day asked congress to submit repeal
or modification Of the present prohi-
bition laws to the states with the re-
quest that each state submit the IS
sue to its voters. The vote was 1908
to 394.
The vote on the referendum propo-
sition by departments was follows:
Against - Arkansas, Kansas, Mis-
sissippi. Nebraska, Oklahoma, Ten
nessee, Texas, Utah, Wyoming-9.
For - Alabama, Alaska, Arizona.
California, Canada, Colorado, Con-
necticut, Delaware, France, Georgia,
Hawaii, Illinois. Italy, Massachusetts,,
Minnesota, Montana. Nevada, New
Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Porto
Rico, Pennsylvania, Philippine Islands.
District Of Columbia, Rhode Island.
| Wisconsin, Havana, Cuba; London.
England, 28.
Divided-Florida. II for, Z against:
Idaho, 6 for, against; Indiana, "a
for, 81 against: Iowa, "a for, a.
against: Kentucky. 40 for, 2 against:
Louisiana, 18 for, 2 against; Maine, l3
for, against; Maryland, II for,
against; Michigan, 20 for, 6 against:
Missouri, 16 for, Is against; New
Hampshire, 10 for, 2 against; North
Carolina, 10 for, 6 against: North Da-
kota, 13 for, 8 against: Ohio, - for,
against; Oregon. Is for, 3 against:
South Carolina, for, Is against;
South Dakota. IL for, 6 against: vir-
ginia, 9 for, 8 against: Washington.
8 for, 16 against; West Virginia,
for, l3 against; Vermont, 8 for, n
against; Panama and Mexico not
voting.
Conditions Denounced
The vote came after q debate In
which advocates Of the resolution
denounced conditions under prohibi-
ton and asked the Legion to assume
leadership In the fight to seek q
change through referendum.
The opposition argued the Legion
should take no stand.
It was the first time prohibition
came before the Legion's national
convention in its 13 years.
An effort to have the issue thrown
loft the floor under ruling that it Is
political and outside of tho consti-
tutional scope Of the Legion's activ-
tiles failed. Commander Ralph r
O'Neil declined to follow the preced.
ent set last year by o. L. Boden-
hamer in ruling against 1t.
i While saying that personally he
believed there are many much more
important matters which should
properly occupy our time." the com.
mander ruled there was no doubt
that the resolution had been pro
perly presented"
In making his ruling on the point
Of order, O'Neil expressed grave
doubt" of the desirability Of taking
up this subject to the possible pre-.
judice Of our organization and IT.
efforts toward attaining our majol
objectives.'
Text Of Resolution
The text of the resolution adopted
follows:
whereas, the eighteenth amend
ment Of the constitution Of the Uni.
ted States has created q condition
endangering respect for law and the
security of American institutions
therefore be 1t resolved that thu
American Legion, In this 18th an.
nual convention assembled, favor'
the submission by congress Of tn
repeal or modification Of the present
prohibition laws to the several states
with q request that each state sub
NIT this question to the voters there
, Of"
The Legion went on record favor
ing reorganization Of the council o.
national defense which was uSef
Continued on page seven)