Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-04
SMITH FOR DEBATE
ON RUM At FARLEY
But Does Not Expect Discus
sion to Bind Democratic
Convention.
trrom the S 80 edition Of Yesterday,s Star. }

10
whenever the Democratic party gets
into a position where it is afraid to
discuss anything that affects the lives
and morals and habits of the people, it
might as well become Republican" said
former Gov. Alfred E. Smith of New
York In an interview with the press at
the Mayfiower Hotel this afternoon.
And / man." continued the former
New York Governor with a twinkle in
his eye, lit might as well become Re-
publican in party sense-witness the
Wickersham report"
The former Governors statement
was interpreted as meaning that there
was no reason why the Democratic Ma
tional Committee, which meets here on
Thursday, should not discuss the pro-
hibition issue.
May Stay for Meeting.
Whether former Gov. Smith will at
tend the meeting Of the committee, he
said, he had not yet determined. He
will be in Washington tonight and may
continue here until the meeting Thurs
day If he determines to attend. He
pointed out that he is not a member of
the Democratic National Committee
and said that he had not expected to
come to the meeting until he had been
told that former Gov. Cox of Ohio,
the Democratic candidate for President
in 1920, and John w. Davis, the presi-
Dental candidate in 1924, were to be in
attendance.
Il said I'd come" said former Gov.
Smith, ''since / knew that was to be in
North Carolina and to speak at Raleigh
yesterday"
He said he understood ex-Gov. Cox
would be here, but that Mr.. Davis was
III and would not be able to attend.
Backs Action on Policy.
Ex-Gov Smith made distinction be-
tween having the Democratic National
Committee establish poAcies for the
party and having the committee discuss
public problems. He said he was in
sympathy with the action taken by the
State Democratic Committee Of New
York yesterday when it adopted a reso-
luton declaring that the national COM
mittee should not attempt to adopt the
policy for the party, since policies could
only be adopted by the party in ma
tiohal convention. But so far as having
the Democratic National Committee dis
cuss issues, he said that was another
thing.
I'm so much of a Democrat" said
former Gov. Smith, that think the
man who takes the ashes out Of this
hotel should have o right to speak his
mind at q Democratic gathering"
The former Governor was asked If he
had anything to say about the posi-
bilities of his being q candidate for
President in 1882.
IT said in North Carolina that man
is foolish to try to cross q bridge that
is II miles away" he said,
The former Governor would not in
any way indicate that he had 1t in
mind TO be q candidate for the presi-
Dental nomination.
But you're not out of politics. Gov
ernor," 1t was suggested.
mot all the way out" he came back
with q smile.
The Democratic standard bearer of
1928 was asked whether he thought
the prospects were bright for a Demo-
cractic victory next year. He said that
there was general dissatisfaction OF
present conditions among the rank and
file in this country.
Are they blaming President Hoover
or the Republican party?" he was
asked.
Everybody I meet is blaming them
selves" replied the former Governor.
He was asked if he thought prohibi-
ton would be a major issue in the
coming campaign.
mo one can tell what the issues will
be 10 months in advance of the cam
paign," said the former Governor He
added, however, that he was convinced
the conclusion that prohibition cannot
be accomplished by law.
Won't Speak for Raskob.
The former Governor was asked II
Chairman John J. Raskob Of the Dem
ocratic National Committee intended to
bring the prohibition issue before the
National Committee when it meets
Thursday. He replied that he did not
know and that Mr.. Raskob could speak
for himself. He repeated that he was
not certain he would attend the meet
ing of the National Committee and that
he did not know whether he would have
the proxy of a member Of the National
Committee II he did attend. He added
he did not think there would be any
trouble about him getting into the
meeting, even If he did not have a
proxy.
He said he would like TO see the
Democratic National Committee lead
off to discuss issues Of importance to
the party and to the country. He said
he saw no harm in the discussion OF
prohibition or any other subject hav-
ing to do with the welfare OF the peo-
| pie.
Gov. Smith was asked II he thought
! the sentiment of the people in North
| Carolina toward him had changed since
| 1928 when the State went for Presi-
| dent Hoover against him. 1t was pointed
out that he had had an enthusiastic
reception in Raleigh yesterday when he
addressed the State Legislature on its
I invitation.
well" replied the Governor. 81 had
a big reception in North Carolina three
years ago."
The Governor was asked II he be-
lieved that water power would be a
major issue In the campaign of 1882.
1 He expressed the opinion that II 1t
| were an issue 1t would be a secondary
| issue.
81 found 1t difficult to get the people
excited over waterpower when / was
Governor Of New York. said former
Gov. Smith. The trouble with 1t Is
that it's a technical subject and not
easily understood by the crowds"
The former Governor said Mrs. Smith
and his son, Alfred z. Smith, jr., and
his wife, who had been with him In
North Carolina, would return tonight.