The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-09-29
COLORADO VOTE
TO SHOW TREND
ON DRY REPEAL
Both Parties Stands Wet:
National Test Labora-
tory for Issue.
BY RAY TUCKER
Times Stah Writer

DENVER, Sept. 2s.-with the
vets Of both parties striving for
prohibition repeal, Colorado has be-
come a sort of testing laboratory
in view of its vote in November on
scrapping its state dry law.
For various reasons, the move
ment in this state occupies a rather
unique position in determining how
public sentiment has shifted during
the late years of the not-so-dry
decade.
A mining, industrial and farming
state of 100000 population di-
vided about 60-40 as to rural and
urban residence, the state appar-
emily affords true picture of ma
tional thought.
1t should give correct cross
section of how the nation feels about
Volsteadism, and, for this reason,
wet and dry forces are battling Bit
terly.
Some die-hard drys, probably
sensing defeat, now urge national
repeal but advocate retention of the
state act.
Among those making such
strategic retreat is Ex-Governor
William f. Sweet, Who contends the
federal amendment is unavoidable,
but urges a nonalcoholic fence
around the state.
Picturesque Figures in Fight
A similar referendum in 1926 was
lost for repeal by a vote of $4,000
to $4,000, although it carried in this
city by 1000
Thus it will require shift of
about $4,000 votes to give victory
to the vets. That amounts to a
1928 per cent change, which is
considerable.
For various reasons, however, the
ants believe they will make the
grade this time against one of the
most drastic dry laws in the Union.
The situation commands interest
because many champions of Presi-
dent Herbert Hoover and several
picturesque figures are associated in
the cause against prohibition
Mrs. Werner o. Reed, a Hoover
elector, is official head of the Den
yer Woman's Organization for Ma
ton Prohibition Reform. She is
known as "the lady bountiful of
Colorado because of her many
philanthropies.
Prominent G. o. p. Men Vets
The two in active charge of the
work in Denver are Edward D.
Nicholson and Mrs. Charlie S
Boettcher, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES of
one of the states sugar beet
pioneers.
x-Senator Nicholson was the
Leadville mining king. His sons
presence in the fight has dra-
matte touch, in that the drys once
defeated the senator.
Other prominent Republicans ac-
lively aiding or in sympathy with
the move for repeal are ex-senator
Lawrence G. Phipps, now national
committeeman; William v. Hodges,
former treasurer of the Republican
national committee; Spencer Pen
rose of Colorado Springs, brother of
the late Senator 'Boies Penrose of
Pennsylvania, and Clarence G. Ham
lin, Colorado Springs publisher and
former Republican national COM
mitteeman. Arthur L. Roeder, man
ager of the Rockefeller mining in
tereSts here, has contributed.
With Denver possibly the key to
the result, Nicholson's file of volun-
tary supporters is an important fac
tor. 1t contains almost $4,000 names,
and if each name means two or
three sympathizers, repeal will
carry.
Battle Has Become Bitter
The total vote will probably APP
proximate 100000. Nicholson and
Mrs. Boettcher hope to carry the
city by 10000, or Nenough to over
come majority outside the city.
Penrose recently revealed how
bitter the battle has become. Criti-
cising the Y M. c. A. and Y. w.
G. A. for lining up with the drys
and permitting the use of their
buildings for prohibition meetings,
he declined to contribute TO the
community chest because it appor-
tions some of its funds to those two
institutions. Penrose said he would
give his customary contribution of
$500" to worthy cases.
The Anti-Saloon League, once
extremely strong in the state, is in
a weakened and impoverished con-
dition.
1t was discredited two years ago
when A. j. Fitch, the superintend-
ent, was found to have sold stock
i'll nonproductive oil we'll to can
didates for Office seeking the or
ganizations Endorsement.