The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-08-11
Women Vets Merely Social
Climbers, Says W. &. I. L. Chief
Dry Leader Not Worried by
Opposition; Convention
Opens Friday.
RuNrA Serrioe

By MA Serrice
SEATTLE, Wash, Aug. 1.-THE
women who have worn the white
ribbon of the w. G. T. u. since the
days when Carrie Nation wrecked
saloons with her trusty Ratchet
aren't worried about the fate of
prohibition now, even in this preSi-
Dental election year of 1882. when
the Democratic party stands COM
mitted to repeal and the Republican
party favorS resubmiSsion.
Convinced that prohibition has
proved its worth, that the law will
withstand all attacks, delegates rep
resenting a half million women
members throughout the nation
plan no change in their strategy
when they meet in Seattle Friday
for a weeks session, the fifty-eighth
annual convention of their organ
ization.
Presiding will be Mrs. Ella A.
Boole of Brooklyn. N. Y, 74-year-
old president of the organization,
who has devoted upwards of forty
years to the fight against liquor.
Not Worried by Opposition
"OppositionP" says Mrs. Boole.
Prohibition always has had oppo-
sition. True, our opposition is bet
ter organized today and it has
plenty of money with which to en-
ploy highly paid publicity workers.
Because their program is opposed
to the law. every step they take is
news.
"On the other hand, the drys are
going quietly about their business
of supporting the law and upholding
the Constitution. There isn't as
much news value in this sort of
program, but it is just as effective"
Therefore, Mrs. Booze thinks her
own organization has little cause to
worry.
Snubs Its Rival
The Womens Christian Temper
ance Union, says its veteran presi-
dent, does not recognize its rival,
the Women's Organization for Pro-
hibitiOn Reform.
AS an organization, this group of
anti-prohibition women simply does
not matter, she says.
The Womens Organization for
Prohibition Reform" she continues.
lis made up, for the most part. of
women who would like to get into
society-and they think this is their
chance.
Theirs is not an organization:
1t is simply an enrolment. All it
does is get people to sign their
names, and it is easy to persuade
people to sign almost any docu-
ment, as long as nothing but a sig
nature is required
The executive committee of this
group can't even speak for its con-
Stltuency That was proved when
1t tried to commit the group to the
support of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
1t Just Exists
We look upon the Women's Or
ganization for Prohibition Reform
merely as part of the organiza-
ton against prohibition. 1t simply
exists, that's all"
Contrasted with this group. saws
Mrs. Boole. is the w. c. T. u, whose
members are checked through the
payment of dues.
She has no reason to believe. she
says that there is any checking up
on the enrolment of the Women's
Organization for Prohibition Re
form, either for losses by death or
through changes of opinion.
No Reason for Alarm
In discussing increased opposition
to prohibition, Mrs. Boole finds that
today's prospect holds no special
reason for alarm. although she does
believe that it will require activity
on the part of the drys to hold their
ground. But she has no worries
about their ability to do this.
Mrs. Boole believes decidedly that
the emphasis placed on the evils Of
prohibition by its opponents is UNI
fair.
These evils, she asserts. are the
result Of violation of the law, not
the result of the law itself. And
every violation of the law, she adds.
is magnified.
According to her view, far less
liquor is being consumed today than
before the advent of the law.
Canned GRAPEFRUIT