Evening star., 1932-06-30
SAYS REPEAL 0. X.
WILL COST VOTES
Fits Tells Delegates Plank
Will Hurt Party in at Least
Five States.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated FreSS-
CHICAGO, June 3o,-W G. Fits of
Birmingham, Ala, closing the case for
the minority, in the debate on the dry
law at the Democratic convention last
night. disagreed with contentious as to
the Importance of the question, declar-
ing the weightiest consideration in the
minds of many men is to find the way
to live. not to find the way to drink"
Il ask you," he said, in connection
with the speech made by Al Smith in
favor Of repeal. did he state any argu
mentS? He did not, he made lot of
wise cracks"
With this. swelling chorus Of boos
made it impossible for him to go on.
Chairman Walsh went forward to ask
for patience.
THE gentleman will not proceed to
address the convention until 1t is in
order" he said.
Fits said the question up warranted
serious consideration, explaining the
difference between the two proposals.
Repeal Plank Called IntoIerant.
"The great AFFECTION to the eight
eenth amendment has been that it Is
intolerant, that it seeks to put upon
states that which they do not. Now
this proposed majority plank would out
do the eighteenth amendment in in
tolerance, while by the minority report
intolerance would be wiped out"
As Fits wound up his case with an
argument against VolStead nodifica-
tion, pointing his finger as he added
emphasis, he said the opposition pro-
posed to open up the country to all
kinds Of indulgence in Intoxicating
liquors, with the result that they will
never get the amendment repealed.
THE reason that these gentlemen
have told you that this Is such an i'm
portant question is that they are look
ing beyond this vote to the selection
of nominee"
He cited Tennessee, Florida, Georgia
Alabama, Texas and Oklahoma as States
which had something to lose by voting
for the majority report, arousing more
boos and some applause.
There is no necessity whatsoever for
the Democratic party to make an issue
like this" he said, these gentlemen
from the East could get as many votes
from the East with the minority report
as they could with the majority. This
is because the Republican party says
nothing chases its own tail and we have
nothing to fear on this question there. !"
Protests Halt Speaker.
why ALLEVIATE voters and make States
doubtful?" he asked, not taking notice
of the growing confusion and the cries
from the floor. But the protests from
the floor became so noisy that he had to
stop. Over the whole delegate section,
there were cries Of "vote," vote" When
order was restored the speaker began
fellow delegates, my time has about
expired" and floor and galleries were
swept by cheers.
81 submit it would be unwise," he
continued, Ito take step which jeop-
ardizes the election, to take a step
which will not strengthen the party in
the East but will weaken 1t elsewhere. "
He predicted that many Democrats
will not be whipped" into supporting
repeal
The confusion became so great again
that the Alabaman's words could not
be understood even in the front rows
of the press stand, but few feet from
the speakers stand.
Chairman Walsh begged and expos
tulated He declared the speaker had
been allotted his time by the convention.
"and he will persist to the end" The
crowd laughed at that and became
quieter, but as soon as the speech was
resumed the confusion broke out again.
Predicts 'Inestimable Harm"
THE question is" he shouted, 'is
it possible to reach the understanding
of the thoughtful delegates with the
thought of the hazard of taking a posi-
ton which will help the party any
where, but will materially harm II
in several localities"
In at least five States" he added
the plank would do the democracy
''inestimable harm"
I'VE will carry on the fight" he prom
ised, "and we will win the fight, but
you win have trouble, and you will have
! to help us in these States where you
have no trouble at all.
Il am speaking for the democracy
of those States in the South that are
| SO circumstanced that this will create
trouble for us. Now if you want to &c
on, go. Well do our best, you may
be sure of that, but it is simply USE
| less, senseless undertaking"