Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-03
The Soft Pedal.

The wet and dry issue still has its
terrors for the Democratic party. On
the eve Of a meeting of the Democratic
National Committee called by Chair
man Raskob TO discuss policies" as
we'll as other matters, a ba-rage has
been laid down to prevent the en-
trance of the prohibition issue. 1t is
evident that notwithstanding the faith
of many of the Democrats in the wet
cause, particularly in the East anu
North, there is more than a lingering
fear among them that to make the
wet issue an outstanding plank in the
party platform might be disastrous
This fear apparently exists among the
vet Democrats themselves. The DEM
ocratic State Committee of New York
yesterday adopted a resolution in Albany
declaring against having the National
Committee pass upon questions of poll
icy at the meeting which opens here
Thursday. The resolution does not
mention specifically the prohibition
question. But that was the matter, it is
well understood, which was in the
minds Of the members of the committee
WREN they acted. 1t called attention
to the fact that the National Committee
has no power to fix policies for the
party, and that such matters can be
handled only by the party In national
convention. That is quite true. How.
ever, there is no power which can pre-
vent a Democratic National Committee
recommending a certain course Of ac-
ton to the next national convention,
provided the committee is bent upon
such course.
The effort Of the New York State
Committee, Of many of the Southern
Democrats, all of whom are considered
drys, and Of many Numbers Of the SEN
etc and House who are both wet and
dry to head OF discussion Of the pro-
hibit on Issue By the National Com
n1ittee, however, may be effective. A
great DIAL viii depend upon whether
Chairman Raskob is determined to
have a showdown on the liquor ques-
ton. It has been reported that Mr..
Raskob would demand such a show
down, but so far this report has never
been confirmed by the chairman.
Gov. Roosevelt Of New York, prom
inently mentioned as q candidate for
the presidential nomination. is reported
to approve the position taken by the
State Democratic Committee of New
York. The Governor, while he has gene
on record as faToring repeal Of the
eighteenth amendment. without re-
turn of the old saloon. apparently is
DESTROYS, as are many other Democrats.
of giving emphasis to economic Issues
rather than to the wet-and-dry ques-
ton. Gov. Roosevelt is regarded as a
progressive" His recent invitation by
Q senatorial committee headed by Sena-
tor Norris OF Nebraska to attend nom
partisan meeting Of prcgrcssires in
Washington next week seems to place
the progressive label on him. Many OF
the progressives are dry, among them
Norris. 1t is this progressive vote for
which Gov. Roosevelt or any other
Democrat nominated for President next
year viii hope. 1t is not the purpose OF
Gov. Roosevelt or the others to scare on
this progressive vote. regarded as hostile
to President Hoover. by an overemphasts
OF the liquor question.
The coming meeting of the DEM
ocratic National Committee in Wash
ington has many possibilities Former
Governor Alfred e. Smith Of New York,
who is not yet out of the picture as
q presidential candidate, is expected
to be here, with his friend, Chairman
Raskob. Mr.. Smith, like other DEM
ocrats, hes So ID that the n.t'onal COM
nittee cannot adopt policies for the
party. But lie has also pointed out
that that is no reason why the COM
mittee may rot discuss the prohibition
issue II it sees 1T Governor Smiths
reception in Raleigh. N. C., where he
addressed meeting Of the State Legis-
lature yesterday, has given impetus to
the suggestion that he is again to be
the leader Of the Democratic hosts IN
1882.