Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-25
DRY DISCUSSIONS
ENLNEN POLITICS
Beer and Referendum Cues
lions Expected to Bring
Congress Fight.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press
A series of prohibition rumblings
precipitated in the Capital by word
of a new Federal beer inquiry appeared
likely today to echo into 1882.
With the American Legion's vote in
favor of a referendum lending fresh
impetus, reaction ranged from praise
and condemnation to a proposal that
a resubmission plank be placed in the
1882 Democratic platform. Added was
a forecast from dry Senator OF a
lively beer fight in the coming Congress.
Senator Buckley, Democratic anti
prohibitionist from Ohio, suggested that
his party agree upon resubmitting the
eighteenth ar, cndment to the. people
rather than argue upon the merits Of
prohibition.
Senator Walsh of Montana forecast
agitation for beer legislation in the
next Congress. known as a constitu-
tional authority, the Western Democrat.
a dry, gave as his opinion that repeal
or modification of the Volstead act
would not constitute notification OF
the eighteenth amendment.
Meantime there was fresh ferment
in the disclosure by Secretary Hyde
that the effect upon the farmer OF
legalizing beer would be ascertained.
Beer Data Gathered.
A Government Official reported that
some beer data already had been
gathered by the Department of Agri-
culture. These figures, he said, indi-
Gated that legalizing of brewing might
do the farmer more harm than good. in
that the market for dairy products
might be reduced Data were shown Of
the increased sale of these products
with the coming of prohibition.
Moreover, 1t was the stated opinion
of another high Federal executive that
talk of legalizing beer-whatever the
effect--would never go beyond the con-
verSational stage.
Reactions to the American Legion's
referendum proposal were numerous.
The Anti-Saloon League said in a state
ment the vote did mot reflect the senti-
ment of the country and probably not
Of the Legion itself" The league con-
tended that until the Legion produced a
satisfactory alternative to prohibition its
resolution will not be taken seriously"
Henry H. Curran, president of the
Association Against the Prohibition
Amendment. said in statement he
believed the Legion'S majority vote for
reSubmiSsion Of the eighteenth amend
ment would be answered by similar ma
jority of the Nations voters against
any further continuation of the pre-
posterous experiment of national pro-
hibition"
Wilson AssaiIs Legion Action.
In ST. Joseph, Mo-. DR.. Clarence True
Wilson, secretary of the Methodist Epis-
copal Board Of Temperance said ''num-
bers of staggering DRINKS disgraced the
uniform and yelled for beer" at the
American Legion Convention.
THE Legion has again taken the wet
side he said in statement. II am
not surprised. If you have seen the
outfit that gathered in Detroit as
did, you would be surprised at 1894
men (the number of delegates who
voted against the referendum resolu-
tion) could be found who could stand
up for the Constitution and decency
and sobrietv"
Senator Brookhart, Republican. Iowa
condemned the. resolution with a re-
mark that most of those who voted
came out of wet States"
Senator Buckley said he was delight
ed and glad they voted on that instead
OF beer"
The resubmission plank, as outlined
by the Ohio Democrat. would stipulate
that the repeal amendment must be
acted upon by State conventions rather
than Legislatures.
Under this plan, he said. neither the
party nor its members would be pledged
on the prohibition issue
Democratic Congressman would be
required, as matter of party loyalty
to vote to submit a repeal amendment
to the States. but would be free to &C
back to their constituents and work
against its adoption.
Dry Support Claimed.
Buckley said his plan had the sup
port Of q number of prohibition sup
porters as well as its opponents within
the party He said friends of the eight
zenith amendment could consistently
vote for resubmission and then oppose
it in their States.
Coming from man who has beer
mentioned as possible Democratic pres
idential material Bulkley's plan was
expected to receive serious considera-
ton from Democratic leaders.
Friends of prohibition within tbs
party are determined a "wet" plank
shall not be adopted at the convention
next year.
Many OF the leading opponents o.
prohibition are confident they will have
the necessary votes to adopt repea
wisdom of the move.
Buckley believes they can adopt TIT
plank he is proposing without auenat
ing the supporters Of prohibition.
He said he proposed State action b,