Evening star., 1931-04-15

gates would not visit the White House
inasmuch as it was said President
Hoover had SHOWN no sympathy for any
plan Of modification Arrangements for
the reception by the President were
made by Mrs F. Lothrop Ames. chair
man Of the Massachusetts, delegation.
Stand Is Outlined.
The provision Of the petition en-
bodying the views of the conference
set out first that during the year that
has elapsed since the WomenS Or
ganization for National Prohibition Re
form first went on record in favor OF
State conventions to vote on the ques-
tion of repeating the amendment,
the protest against social ana ponti-
cal iniquities of prohibition has gath
cred volume and intensity until the
question is no longer shall national
prohibition endure but how shall we
constitutionally rid ourselves Of ma
tional prohibition, as shown by IL
years of experiment to be unenforcible,
to be the foe of temperance and the
breeder of evils?'"
Developments during the year were
the report of the Wickersham CcmmiS-
sion, it was said which showed "only
2 Of the IL in favor of the retention Of
the eighteenth amendment; the Sug-
geStion by Col. Henry w. Anderson, a
member of the commission, for modifl-
cation: the suggestion of John j. Ras-
kob, chairman of the Democratic Ma
ton Committee, for State control. and
the same sentiment expressed by Sena-
tor Morrow, Republican, of New Jersey.
State Control Asked.
Further, the petition said, Gin so far
as the outstanding proposals for re-
form made during this year are predi-
Gated upon this necessity for repeal, the
Wonen's Organization for National
Prohibition Reform is heartily in SYM
pathy with them; that in so far as their
substitute plan may leave the matter
still in the hands of Congress, and,
therefore, liable to be the foot ball in
successive political campaigns, 1t ques-
tions the finality Of the relief they offer
from the intolerable conditions born Of
the attempt at national prohibition"
The petition also set out that a repeal
adopted by the people OF the requisite
number of States and the return to each
State of its former power to regulate
the manufacture, sale and transporta-
tion of intoxicating beverages within its
own limits should be accompanied by
adequate State regulatory enactment
forbidding the return of the saloon and
responsive to the sentiment Of the peo-
pie and therefore capable Of enforce
ment."
Declaring its belief "that only upon
this principle can q lasting solution of
this great problem be founded" the
declaration adds that I'VE petition the
President OF the United States and
the Congress of the United States to
take such action as viii give to the
people of the States an opportunity to
put into effect the principles to which
We adhere"
Copies Of the petition viii be pre-
sented to Congress when 1t conyenes
and to all national committeeman and
committeewomen and all State chair
men Of Democratic and Republican par
ties.
Presented by Mrs. NicoII.
Mrs. Nicon, In presenting the resolu-
ton to President Hoover, said:
"At the second annual convention Of
the Women's Organization for National
Prohibition Reform. comprising mem
bership of over SOC, 900 from every State,
it was voted the copy Of the resolution
passed by the convention this morning
be presented to you and to the Congress.
I, therefore, have the honor to present
you with this resolution"
President Hoover smiled and said, 81
am happy to have you here"
He shook hands with several hundred
Of the women.
State to Raise $3,OOO,OO0.
Among the reports was one from
Pennsylvania announcing the projected
raising Of a So, 900, 900 ti-prohibition
fund It said the organizations 2S,700
members had worked against guberna-
torial plans of Clifford Pinchot, but the
bootleggers were too strong for US.
They were powerful enough in Penn
syklvania to vote Mr.. Pinchot in"
The force Of the American Federation
Of Labor was pledged to the fight on the
dry law by Matthew Vol, vice presi-
dent, at last nights session Of the con-
ferenIe. evoking a tumultuous response
from the several hundred delegates
gathered for the annual banquet.
Climaxing bitter attack on the law
with the declaration that 900, 900 local
unions in the American Federation Of
Labor stand ready to cooperate with
you" Vol was greeted by an outburst
Of cheering and handclapping, the dele
gates rising to their feet in the demon
stration.
Vol headed a group Of speakers who
OF drinking by children and Of boot
Logging in colleges. The Wickersham
report was the target for numerous
shafts of criticism.
Our appeal is not for a return Of the
saloon, but for a return to sobriety,"
Mr.. WoU told the gathering.
"Our appeal is not for liquor, but a
return 10 the original concept Of the
American Constitution as a document
of guarantees. Our appeal is not for
intemperance, but against the perpetuity
of national legislation that is develop
ing a criminal element such as no
civilized nation of the world has ever
experienced. Our demand Is for mod |
1fcation of law that will command
Tp<n1rf for Law and f6r fha abandon a A
ment of the greatest experiment in
hypocrisy known TO history.
Holds Prohibition Failure.
eff the object of prohibition was to |
stop the manufacture and the sale Of |
liquor, it has failed in every particular |
IF the object of prohibition was TO /
failed dismally.
IF the object Of prohibition was TO |
increase observance Of law, it has failed !
utterly and abjectly.
IF the object Of prohibition was 10 |
improve the economic condition CT the |
Nation or Of the people generally, it has !
failed most grieyously.
IT question whet ther the present gener- [
alton ever can be brought to temperance /
and the moderate use of temperate bev- |
erages. The current appetite and the |
current psychology are all against mod |
Grafton. We shall DO well II We can |
apply a remedy through modification TO |
save the next generation" i
Maurice S. Sherman. editor OF the |
Hartford Comm Courant, declared that |
by prohibition the Constitution has
"been perverted from its great purpose
hnIy TO become an instrument Of tyranny |
and oppression"
DnJ;.L n@n:o1 pas;orna -, prn%n.&