The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-12-16
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 16, 1881
Is Hoover Weakening?

constitutional amendment do PioP
 bv Representative John Q. 1ilson ot New Haven has led many outspoken wet advo- rates in this nation to proclaim the gradual surrender of President Hoover 10 forces too stronq for him. Despite the amount or rressure brought to bear by influential party counselors the President has remained aoa- mant on the subject of prohibition. When his far-famed Wickersham law enforcement commission failed him carly this year he exhausted what was probably his last resort to keep faith with the prohibtionist forces that elected him in 1928. 1ilsons wet proposal looks like an indication Of Whte House weakening.
 Perhaps this is pure assumption. Naturally we don't believe that the Connecticut repre- sentative speaks for the President on every occasion. But it will have to be admitted that he has been his mouthplece and his first lieutenant in the House of Representatives. Even when the late Speaker, Nicholas Long worth and the present republican House Leader, Bertrand H. Shell, who with ilson comprised the ruling trlumvirate in the /lN Congress. deserted him carly this year on several legislative matters Tilson stuck 10 the ship. As result he himself was dltehed when he sought leadership of the party week or SO ago.
 Briefly Representative Iilson. who still IS an outstanding legislator and parllamentar- ian in inc republican ranks would restore control of the manufacture, sale, and trans portation of intoxicating beverages to the states. He seeks repeal of the 9th amend ment and further outlawing of the saloon or drinking of liquors on premises where they are sold. To each state would be gwen tn. power to regulate as it sees fit once the stb amendment is repealed. That isn { quite correct, as each state should still possess this power. but federal eneroachment has pre- vented exercise of such power. We term that an interruption of states rights against which Governor Ritche and other opponents of Jeffersonian doctrines rail with consider able vigor but little practical results
 Mr Tilson claims that If the constitu- tional amendment I have proposed shall be submitted to the states and ratified by the required number, l believe that 1t will put the prohibition question on the way to final solution SO far as the Federal Govern ment is concerned It will forever prohibit the open sale of liquor, the elimination of which is the chief gain claimed as result of the Eighteenth Amendment At the same time while permitting those states where the people so desire to retain the pen efils of constitutional prohibition, It will allow the other states taking d different view of such benefits, to regulate the liquor trai- fife as the people in these states may desire' the only limitation being that the open sa- loon cannot be restored.
 The adoption of the proposed amend ment would remove from Washington, where it does not belong the question of dealing with this age-old problem and bring 1t back to states where under our dual system of government it properly belongs. It will help to save that boon of liberty known as local self-govcrnmcnt now being destroyed by fed eral encroachment, and it will help restore faith in the soundness and permanence ot our Federal system.
 We don't ever expect to ind President Hoover definitely approving of such an out and -out wet proposal as this although com ing from Mr Tilson it may strike more responsive chord However, if the republl- can national convention next June should % on record as favorlng some such le9isa- tion the President will find himself in d bad position. Better to compromise now and save the nomination than to remain true to the principle which is going to embarrass every chief executive we have until the mat ter is finally settled. Naturally as a wet and a democrat we like to believe that the Pres ident is weakening We cant substantiate the stand with much actual proof Tilson has always been more or less wet in senti- mcnt. but never so outspoken. It's either an attempt to win back fame and name or else he is resuming his position as liaison officer between the House of Representatives and the White House.