Evening star., 1932-11-30
TEMAY DELAY
BEER BILL ACTION
hoice of Machinery to Act on
Repeal Plan May ProIong
Controversy.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE,

BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Congress will vote on a resolution to
peal the eighteenth amendment, but
BIT until after there has been consid-
able debate.
On one point, hitherto regarded as
condary, q controversy Of major i'm
brtance has arisen. Shall the repeal
nendment be ratified by State con-
ntions or by State Legislatures?
Speaker Garner says that, inasmuch
both Republican and Democratic ma
onal platforms prescribed the State
Invention method, it will be followed
his resolution. But many Of the
cts are wondering whether the orig
lal purpose of having State conven
ons ratify the proposed change has
bt disappeared and whether State
legislatures, after all, would not be the
lost expeditions way to speed the re-
eal resolution toward ratification.
Since the original Constitution was
htifled, the State convention device has
ever been used. How shall the dele
ates to such a State convention be
hosen? Is not law of the State Leg
blature required. calling a special cleo
lon for delegates and prescribing the
manner In which delegates shall be
hosen?
Complications Apparent.
Both these questions are conceded to
le pertinent, and If every State Leeis-
ature must create special machinery
hen the problem will have to be passed
hpon anyway by every State Legisla-
lure. In that event, simple repeal
resolution would be as easy to get
Ehrcugh as a complicated piece Of cleo
hion machinery. with all the precedents
that might be set up in apportionment
pf the delegates-something that might
readily become the subject Of local con-
troversy because Of the possibility of
Future State constitutional conventions
being set up the same way.
The vets have felt in recent years
that State Legislatures were in control
of the drys and that State conventions
alone would afford an opportunity for
popular vote. The recent election and
the way in which Republicans and
Democrats have been switching from
retention of the eighteenth amendment
to some change, has encouraged some
of the vets to believe the State Legis-
latures would quickly ratify the repeal
resolution.
Many State Legislatures meet in jan
uary. II Congress agrees to submit
repeal resolution. 1t could get considerable
momentum in the early part of 1888,
Ind the fight would then be concen-
taA f1rx 49,
Ire no regular sessions, but where Gov
ernors might be prevailed upon to call
special sessions, the Democrats now are
IN control of the governorship in mcst
States.
Most of the State Legislatures elected
Democrats In both houses, so that, II
they stand by their party platforms,
they would be committed to vote In
favor Of outright repeal
Delay Seen in Senate.
The delay may come In the Senate
where Senator Borah and other lead
ing drys, like Senator Capper, are likely
to seek TO prevent vote or to defeat
an outright repeal resolution. Senator
Glass wants different type Of amend
ment than that proposed by Mr.. Garner.
Should the House adopt repeal reso-
luton and the Senate modify it, does
the conference report require a two
thirds vote? There are no precedents
on which to base Judgment.
With SO many things crowded into
the short session, 1t is doubtful whether
repeal will get two-thirds vote of
both houses, If the measure does come
to q vote in the Senate. A modified
repeal resolution has a better chance In
the Senate than outright repeal
The Democratic strategists feel they
must insist on a vote in order to keep
faith with the country. If repeal fails
to get two-thirds, the matter goes over
to the new Congress. either In extra
or regular session. Whatever progress
Is made by debate or voting in the
short session is considered so much
gained in getting the controversy out
Of Congress and before the several
States.
The prospects are that the demand
for q beer bill can be better satisfied
after 1t is apparent that change in
the eighteenth amendment will en-
counter delays, than by putting the beer
question ahead and avoiding vote on
The amendment. Many vets are afraid
. beer bill will divide the wet sentiment
ef the country anyway The procedure,
e1nerefore, is likely to be to get a vote
On repeal Of the eighteenth amendment
nd take up the beer bill as revenue
lnsAsure, but with an alcoholic content,
believed by the wet forces still to be
within the meaning Of the eighteenth
amendment.
A showdown on the convention or
legislature method Of ratification will
Feature the debate. 1t may even be one
|ef the ways by which the controversy
ID prolonged by those who are ostensibly
|eager to vote on the question, but who
will satisfy some of their dry con-
|sdtuents by insisting on the State
Legislature method. especially If the
vets decide to fight against 1t and insist
On the State convention plan.