The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-07-11
FAINT HEARTS
SEEK III Save
BONE DRY Law
Legislator Fearful Over
Repeal Result Given
Little Hope.
COMPROMISE SNUBBED
Argument That State
Would Be PoWerIe less in
Liquor Cases Re futed.

Candidates seeking re- election to
the legislature this fall, who still
are uncertain regarding the damp
ness Of their constituency, today
sought to thwart outright repeal of
the Wright bone dry law.
They are trying to effect a spe-
cial session compromise which
would retain all provisions of the
Wright law, but merely amend the
statute to legalize sale OF medi-
Cinal whisky.
Argument being used to foster the
amendment, rather than repeal, is
that without some dry law the state
would be poWerless to prosecute any
liquor violators except under federal
statutes and in federal courts.
They declare this would include
operation Of stills, liquor running,
bootlegging and driving while in
toXicated.
Flood of Bills Expected
Meanwhile, leaders Of both houses
awaited the flood of $50 bills ex-
pected to be dumped into the leg
islative hopper when the session re-
opened this afternoon.
Proponents of the Wright law
compromise got a chilly reception
from hackers of repeal measures
pending action in both houses.
Attorneys supporting repeal point
out That with the Wright law wiped
of the books there still will be
plenty of statutes to punish illicit
booze dealers and drunken drivers.
They point out that the automo-
bile license law provides a penalty
for driving while intoxicated, in
GLIDING forfeit of the drivers Ii
CenSe.
Other Laws Sufficient
Then there are other state laws
and city ordinances to care for all
crimes covered by the Wright law
provisions, they contend.
Senator Earl RoWley (Rep0, La
porte. who introduced the Wright
law repeal bill in the senate, con-
demned the move when those seek
ing the compromise amendment APP
preached him.
Il never shall rconsent to sub
stitute an amendment for outright
repeal of the Wright law" he told
them.
Il hate the very name Wright
law and I want to destroy every
evidence of its existence. Our state
has been disgraced with that statute
long enough
With repeal bills pending in both
houses it is reported that Governor
Harry G. Leslie will not veto them
if they are passed.
Rowley is not up for reelection
He was defeated in the primaries
this spring.
Bitter Fight Forecast
So with the lame ducks taking
to repeal like other ducks do tc
water, it appears the Wright Law
will be a time consuming bone OF
contention at the special session
called for tax relief.
Most of the measures to be in
troduced today propose curtailment
of government to cut costs, anc
each will meet opposition from
those who have been feeding from
the particular public funds involved
Returning from the weekend
spent at their homes, legislators were
not so sure that the eighty
two bills introduced last week should
be showed through with too much
speed.
Many of them directly involve
governmental functioning and will
be opposed vigorously by township
county town or city officials.
Full 40 Days Probable
1t generally is conceded that the
full forty days of constitutional time
for a special session will be needed
to separate the wheat from the
chaff
Following the advice laid dowr
bv Speaker Walter Myers in adj
dressing the opening session, bill;
calling for governmental retrench-
ment have been introduced first
These bills cover nearly all points
for cutting governmental costs laic
down by the cooperative commit
tee of the house and senate Of
which Senator Joe Rand Beckett
(Rep). indianapolis, took charge.
Since the session convened, how.
ever, Beckett has slipped into The
background and none of the bill,
bear his name on introduction il
the senate.