Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-10
LABOR TO DISCUSS
FIGHT ON DRY LAW
Committee Directed by WolI
Expresses Determination to
Force Early Action.
Rr ihe Associated press.

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j.. August TO-
The executive council Of the American
Federation of Labor today will discuss
a report submitted by labor's National
Committee for Modification of the Vol
stead Act. expressing determination to
win modification of the dry law during
the coming session of Congress.
1--WE are determined" says the report
of the committee. of which Matthew
Vol is chairman, that no effort shall
be spared to secure modification IN the
coming session Of Congress. and we
hope to so press the issue as to secure
for it consideration during the f1rst
weeks Of the session.
I'VE are not partisan to political
parties in any sense, but we are not
Blind to partisan political events. IL
is our belief that the support Just an
nounced for a wet Republican canol-
date in the Cincinnati congressional
district by the President and the Re-
publican National Committee Is highiy
significant of a change OF heart IN
most important places.
Sees Great Suffering.
"In our opinion this breaking down OF
precedent Is destined to go much lur-
ther and to have a material erect upon
the minds of members Of Congress ano
also on political leaders who are not
members of Congress, but whose ADVICE
"a potent among Congressman.
1--WE know approximately one-half OF
the states and most of the larger IN
d,istrial cities have entirely or almost
exhausted their financial resources AND
will be unable to care for their unem-
ployed this Winter, either through en-
ployment or charity. We know every
indication points to heavier unemploy-
ment this Winter than last. And, bar
ring some enormous charity on the part
of the Federal Government, there seems
little hope for anything short OF vast
restitution. No construction program
possible of execution can relieve the
situation sufficiently.
Every means should be exerted to
the end that industry itself should pro-
vide the sustenance required by our
people Industry and finance, through
everything from INSTRUMENTATION to
actual malfeasance, have brought upon
us this desperate condition. Relief
through governmental charity throws its
burden of relief upon the very ones who
have been the victims.
kea0JuStmenb FOEGcaSt
Eve realize the only way through
which industrial relief can be made
operative on any broad scale, and with
stlfFicfent speed, is through the modifica-
ton of the Volstead act. Not only would
a great social, economic and constitu-
tional wrong be righted by that means
not only would there be restoration OF
liberty and restitution TO an outraged
people. but there would, within mat
ter OF days. be the beginning Of vast
readjustment through our economic
structure.
There would be a tremendous spend
ing of money, not In charity, but IN
materials and in payment of wages
Fully go industries would feel the cleo
trio thrill of orders for materials and
CONTINENT, and through these 90 re-
wing industries money would BE
started on its way to grocery stores, to
clothing stores, to banks, to hardware
stores to merchants OF all kinds fcr
the necessities Of hfe."
Declaring the United States must not
be fooled" into the adoption OF the
: dole. the report says:
Modification of the Volstead law,
with its immediate revival Of vast in
dustrfes and its tremendous effect upon
agriculture. Is the first step toward the
remedy. Moreover, 1t Is q long step
and one that by itself and without any
other factor can this Winter reduce
the volume of unemployment 70 pro-
portions that can be handled by the
ordinary agencies of our social and
economic organization"