The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-06-14
HOOVER FORCES
BATTLE REPEAL,
CURTIS REVOLT
Cabinet Members Hunting
for Plank to Hold All
Factions.
BY RAY TUCKER
Times stan Writer

Republican national convention as
sembled today, President Hoover's
representatives we're engaged in a
desperate effort to suppress a dou-
ble-headed rebellion for an outright
prohibition repeal plank, and the
displacement of President Cur
It's by a younger and wetter man.
While vociferous vets and prayer
ful drys swirled through the CORR
doris Of the Congress hotel, cabinet
members and half Of the White
House secretariat spent twenty-four
hours trying to hammer out re-
submission plank that would hold
all factions.
They admitted 1t was difficult
task, but expressed a wistful hope
that they would succeed.
Against Outright Repeal
At these conferences the adj
ministration's repre- tive s
definitely threw their influence
against any plank committing the
party to repeal.
In the face of instructions from
numerous states, including wet New
York, Postmaster General Walter F.
Brown and Ogden l.. Mills, of New
York, secretary Of the treasury,
argued against any affront to pro-
fessional drys.
Referring to the New York delega-
tons caucus vote for repeal, Mills
said:
Il do not consider those instruc-
lions to be binding"
Several ultimatums were hurled
at this shirt-sleeved group by drys,
vets and compromisers.
Assails New York Plank
Senator Hiram Bingham of Con-
necticut assailed even the New York
plank because it does not pledge the
@. o. P. to work for repeal. He
threatened a floor fight
Nicholas Murray Butler, president
OF Columbia university, indicated he
would waive his earlier demand that
the party take off it's coat and
vest" for repeal.
Mrs. Henry w. Peabody, social
dowager of Florida and Massachu-
l..
Hoover is our man." knelt with sew
eral thousand drys in prayer for
him, the party and that hayward
son of a fine mother" John D.
Rockefeller Jr.
The National Board of Prohibition
Strategy, under the dominance of
the Anti-Saloon League, denounced
any plank criticising prohibition.
and insisted upon strong law en-
forcement stand.
Both May Yield Some
1t may be a few more DAYS before
the Hoover debating society, which
included Walter F. Newton and
Larry Richey the Presidents sec
retaries, will finish its work.
Then the plank will be pre-
sented to Hoover for his approval.
The personnel Of the committee in
sures that nothing will be done
without his consent. Whether the
convention will submit to tpres-
ldential dictation, especially if it re-
suits in a weak and vague resub-
mission declaration, is a question.
Despite the g-of-war, it general
ly is believed that political vets and
drys will yield a little.
The vets are expected to approve
any plank proposing, but not urging
repeal, while some drys would prob
ably abide by the same sort of
plank.
But the G.. o. P. bosses shudder
every time they recall Mrs. Pea
body's prediction that 12,5000O
women will stay at home in. Novem-
Der if Hoover lets the party desert
the drys.
Politicians Well Trained
The Republican politicians are
UNFOLDING their reputation as we'll
disciplined soldiers.
Pending action by the committee
of strategy and the White House
on the prohibition plank such key
states as Massachusetts,, Pennsyl-
vania, Michigan, California and
Ohio are deferring any decision.
I'VE will accept anything salts
factory to Mr.. Hoover" is the way
their leaders describe their attitude.
Ironically, it is Bingham of
CoIliCCtlCuV, lne son OF mission
airy, who may seek to upset the
White House plan to please every
body.
The movement to Dust Curtis is
one of the most puzzling political
incidents of recen5 convention his
tory. Almost everybody comedies
that the ticket could be strength
ened by almost anybody else, but
nobody seems willing to throw the
first brick.
Many Want Dawes
The Massachusetts delegation
issued an open invitation when it
resolved that it would support ex-
Governor Alvin T. Fuller if his name
were presented to the convention,
but it did not take any steps to
make that declaration effective. 1t
will not present Fuller.
The man a majority wants is
former Vice-President Charles c..
Dawes, and it is generally believed
he would accept.
Hoover's friends, including Mills
and Brown and the pair of Secre-
taries, are saying nice things about
Charlie but it is felt Hoover
would not lift a finger if the con-
Vention turns thumbs down