Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-28
Women in Wet.Dry Battle
Stir Interest in Party Lines

Meeting In washington Of q wom-
ans organization opposed to prohibition,
following a meeting held by feminine
supporters of the dry law, arouses inter-
est chiefly in the effect that these ac-
tivities will have upon the alignments
in the major parties in the presidential
campaign Of 1892. The utterances OF
the "antis" are studied especially in
their relation to conditions in both par
ties.
I'VE have evidence that women are
figuring both ways in the impending
prohibition contest" says the Charlotte
Observer, taking note of the statement
from Mrs Charles Sabin that "in five
hitherto arid States. these being Ne
braska, Oregon, South Carolina, Ten
nessee and washington, congressional
seats have been won by repeal advo-
Gates" The Observer continues: Her
further claim was that in eight States,
representing Is per cent OF the popu-
lation of this country, prohibition has
been repudiated by refusal to provide
State enforcement. The wet women are
further encouraging the Democrats 70
put up a wet candidate on the ground
that in 1928 no party in any State had
embodied in its platform plank for
repeal, while in 1880, in 81 States, plat
forms embodying repeal planks, have
been adopted by both Republicans ana
Democrats. In proof she submitted:
Democrats in New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connect
cut New York, New Jersey, PennSyl-
vania, Delaware, Maryland, Illinois,
Wisconsin, North Dakota and Washing
ton: Republicans in Rhode Island, Con-
necticut, New York, New Jersey, I'LL
nois, Wiscor.Sao and washington. This
was submitted to show that the pro-
hibition issue is cutting squarely across
both parties and, Mrs. Sabin shouted
in glee, 1T won't be long until we have
both of theml Concluding as forecaSter.
she predicted that in the next House
the repeal group will have 80 Republic
ans and n Democrats and that % Sen
ators, evenely divided between the two
parties, will advocate repeal"
The New York Evening Post quotes
Mrs. Sabin as stating that in this de-
bate party lines are disappearing to the
dismay Of timorous politicians, whose
only strength has been in party regu-
larity," and that paper comments: LAS
Mrs. Sabin further said, the drys may
take refuge in some cyclone cellar and
assert that there is no change in pub
lie sentiment If they do, they weaken
their cause by a blindness that has
never characterized the women who are
seeking true temperance through the
ROAD Oh udLlOud1 PIOlhD9bAOAA ACAOAAs
y X X
Dissent comes from the South Bend
Tribune as to the effect of this agitation
on the current political situation, for 1t
believes that there are more important
issues that must take their place in the
coming campaign. The Tribune de-
clares: Prohibition Is regarded as an
important issue by substantial num-
Der of men and women, as shown by
the publicity coming from all fronts, but
only short-sighted people are intent on
making it the paramount issue next
year. If prohibition were the only mat
ter deserving political consideration now,
the United States would be extremely
fortunate. 1t is obviously not the only
deserving matter-indeed, 1t has been
losing ground lately. Taxation and
business conditions probably are more
in the public mind now. The business
depression apparently will be in the
past when the people vote in the Ma
tional and State elections next year, put
taxation will be very prominent. Inc
usual third-party talk Is heard. IL Is
quite plain that no solutions OF impor-
tant problems will be achieved through
a third party next year"
Where organized effort is opposed
by organized effort" In the opinion OF
the Lincoln State Journal, "the erect
on the workers may be lessened. Presi-
dent Hoover could smile when those