The Bismarck tribune., 1931-09-26
PROHIBITION issue
| PROMISES TO STIR
CONGRESS SESSION
American Legion's Action Spurs
Both Vets and Drys to
New Action
VARYING REACTION SEEN
Some Minimize, Others Empha-
size it; Attack on Veterans
Draws Fire
VARYING REACTION SEEN

Washington, Sept. 26-R-The
thrusting forward early Of prohibi-
tion as a controversial issue has been
promised the next congress.
From the welter Of discussion trail
ing the American Legion's demand
for a referendum on the liquor ques-
ton arose Saturday q pledge by an
anti-protibitionist that q bill for re-
peal of the volstead Act would be
introduced soon after congress con-
venes. It came from Representative
Britten Of Illinois.
On the other side Of the fence,
Senator Sheppard Of Texas, CO.
author of the eighteenth amendment,
expects to resurrect his bills making
the purchaser Of liquor equally
guilty with the seller, and also
clarifying the volstead Act to pro-
llibit liquor making In the home.
Predicts slight Effect
At Omaha. Nebraska, the veteran
Texas prohibitionist predicted the
Legion's action would have slight ef-
feet. He asserted an overwhelming
majority Of both houses Of congress
would oppose submission Of prohibi-
ton to the voters.
Representative Britten saw In thu
Legion's vote the "death-knell" o.
prohibition. He asserted II the serv.
ice organization and the American
Federation Of Labor would use "theil
tremendous persuasive power" they
could bring about repeal Of the Vol
stead law during the impending con
tKreSsional session. ~
Two dry leaders trained their gun!
upon the Legion's vote, while . thir<
forecast the American people woult
not be swayed from their prohibition
stand.
DR.. Dan A. Polling. national chair
! man Of the allied forces Of prohibi
ton, described the veterans actor
as a fundamental mistake" HI
added that while regretting it, he dit
not question the good faith of tn
Legion. His statement, made in Ore
gon, coincided with an announce
ment Of plans by the board Of STRAIT
egy Of the national conference of or
ganizattons supporting the eighteenth
amendment for an intensive politica
campaign designed to reach ever,
potential voter.
Holds It Confusing
Describing the Legion's resolution
as Confusing" F. Scott Mcbride, su
/ $AS At AA Ava<l-GAYAay
League, said "as for a prohibition re
ferendum, for which the Legio1
seems to be cropping, the Anti
Saloon League will be ready at an,
time to meet the issue Of repeal"
Ernest H. Cherrington. general sec
retary of the World League Agains
Alcoholism, said repeated statement
by wet newspapers that Presiden
Hoover would continue to supper
! prohibition for political reasons wa
a tacit confession that the majorit,
of the voters of this country are dry.
! Meanwhile, an attack upon the lie
gion by DR.. Clarence True Wilson
general secretary of the Methods
Episcopal church's temperance boarc
asserting numbers of staggerin
drunks disgraced the uniform an
yelled for beer" drew a counter
charge from the League for Modifica
ton Of the Volstead Act.
! II would suggest that DR.. Wtsol
put his own house in order and con
! fine his criticisms to those of his or
ganization who vote dry and drin
wet" said former Senator Hans
brough. of North Dakota, nations
chairman of the league.