Evening star., 1932-12-12

While strong sentiment appears to bt
| growing among individual leaders of the
Anti-Saloon League of America in favor
of new political party on which the
drys could unite, 1t was believed that
the board of directors of the organiza-
ton today had mapped out 'omni'
partisan" program Of action for the new
war on the liquor traffic, without any
official recommendation for a thirc
party.
Some of the outstanding leaders Of
the organization have gone on record
as thoroughly dissatisfied with the two
major parties, and there have been
vigorous speeches roundly denouncing
both for their wet positions.
Would Support Party.
If third party is formed. as strong
" urged by more than one OF the
speakers before the leagues sessions,
and If 1t adopts progressive, constitu-
tional principles, with dry candidate,
there would be no doubt in the opinion
of officials that the Anti-Saloon League
would support that party, But the
league does not want to be put in the
position of starting a party OF its own,
one high official said.
The latest leader to espouse the third
Ivy CduSC Wdc OLo41Op Oo44iCc NoAAAAOAA,
1r., Of the Methodist Episcopal Church
South, who late yesterday came out
fatty for "a new party" In the
course of a spirited address at the
First Congregational Church. in which
he roundly hayed the vets, Bishop
Cannon proposed Organization of a
new party which will stand unswerv-
ingly for the social and moral uplift
and betterment Of the American
people" The drys were further deeply
stirred by warning from Representa-
tive Moore, Republican, Of Ohio that
there was danger" of repeal.
The bishops pronouncement came
swiftly after a somewhat similar sug-
gestion thrown out by DR.. Arthur j,
Barton of Wilmington, N. c., chairman
of the Executive Committee Of the
league.
Leaders Attend Luncheon.
Further indication that the drys are
considering political action Independent
of the Republicans and Democrats was
seen in the noon luncheon today at the
National Committee for Education
Against Alcohol Dry leaders of sew
eral organizations we're invited for a
discussion of the question Of present.
ing independent candidates for office
where neither Of the majority parties
offer drys."
In a formal announcement the or
ganization said 60 had been asked to
attend Ito consider urging the many
million drys Of the Nation now disfran-
chised to invoke the machinery of
their separate States to enfranchise
themselves by running, whenever advis-
able, independent candidates Of their
own"
Mrs. william Tilton, chairman Of the
group, said with both parties having
been manipulated by the vets into their
present position, the drys face an en-
tirely new situation and need an en-
tirely new strategy"
"Of course, we all wish to work with
our parties where our parties give us
candidates for whom we can vote" she
said. But we cannot consent, as In
1882, to be sponged entirely OF the
political map"
Among the prohibition leaders IN
vited are DR.. F. Scott Mcbride, DR.,
Clarence True Wilson,, Mrs. Ella A.
Boole. Bishop Cannon, and Mrs. Henry
Peabody.
Battle Plans" Drafted.
A protracted business session Of the
directors, superintendents and workers
was understood to be under way today
for adoption of resolutions and formu-
lation Of battle plans" for the new
war which the league has declared on
the poisonous alcoholic liquor traffic. u
The strategy will be designed to hold
prohibition.
Aroused by recent wet gains, the
league was expected to bring out into
the open either at its roll call rally this
afternoon at the First Congregational
Church or at the closing banquet to-
night at the Raleigh Hotel the entire
program by which the drys aim to halt
the vets in their drive to repeal the
eighteenth amendment and amend the
Volstead act.
Convention Here February 14-16.
Included in the program are ex-
pected to be Nationwide edu-
cational campaign, a call for a big
convention here February II to l6, mo-
bilizing dry sentiment, to draft more
comprehensive war plans, and a drive
to fill the new war chest" Of the
league with necessary funds. The
freshly stimulated drive Of the drys for
| funds has been evident at every open
session of the four-day convention,
when money has been eagerly solicited
| for the "two-year program
The roll call rally this afternoon at
| the First Congregational Church was
scheduled to start at 2:30 with the fol-
lowing speakers: Fred B. Perkins, OF
Providence, r. l.; DR.. Wilson, ex-
ecutive secretary of the Board OF
Temperance, Prohibition and Public
Morals Of the Methodist Episcopal
Church; Edward B. Dunford, attorney
of the league; Mrs. Boole, national
president of the Woman's Christian
| Temperance Union.
Speakers for the banquet tonight
which starts at $50, are Mrs. Lor
Hooker of st. Louis, president of the
Daughters of the American Constitu-
ton; Representative L. L. Patterson
of Alabama; Representative Gale H
Stalker, of Elmira, N. Y; Representa-
tive Thomas L. Blanton, Of Texas. on
why Dry Congressman Turn Wet,
and Bishop Edwin Holt Hughes, of the
Methodist Episcopal Church.
"A New Party"
Bishop Cannon opened his political
discussion of the party situation with
three blunt words, pronounced, not as
sentence, but as fresh subject, with
emphasis: "A New Party"
THE question inevitably arises" SAID
the bishop. "in view of the action taker
by the two Chicago conventions, What
shall be the strategy OF prohibition
workers.
During all the years we have op-
posed any national partisan politica
action. But in these Chicago conven'
tions both parties did take action or
the principle of prohibition. It is amaz.
ing, but true, that in neither Of thes'
conventions, composed of hundreds O
delegates not one voice was raised ir
defense of the eighteenth amendment
Not from Ohio, the home Of the pray
ing bands and of the Anti-Saloor
League, and not from single State o.
the South, where the largest block o.
dry population in the Nation lives. No
they all sat impotently like dumb
driven cattle, with jaws locked tight BY
political expediency. What, shall WI