Evening star., 1932-07-25
A. FL. HITS BOTH
|. P[ANKS ON REPEAL
Labor Is Urged to Shun Stand
of Parties in Statement
by Matthew WoI.

The American Federation of Labor's
National Committee for Modification OF
the Volstead Act today advised voters
to pay little attention to the Repub-
lican and Democratic prohibition planks
"in view of the refusal Of party leaders
themselves to adhere to party declara-
tions"
This decision was reached, according
to a statement issued by Matthew Woll
president of the labor group, after the
committee had made a careful analysis
of the planks. Mr.. Woll. at the same
time, urged labor to scrutinize candi-
dates for Congress carefully and sup
port those who will pledge themselves
to revision of the Volstead act to per-
NIT 2.75 per cent beer.
President Without Power.
"1n considering constitutional amend
ments." the committees statement read
the fact should be clearly borne In
mind that the President of the United
States has no constitutional authority
over such proposals. He has no power
OF veto in such instances nor can he
rightfully interfere with the will of
Congress, of the respective States OF
the sovereign power of the people of
the States in considering or enacting
altering or repeating constitutional
amendments. Political party declara-
tions on such subjects are, therefore
directed specifically, not to the Presi-
dent, but to members of the Senate
and House Of Representatives and tc
the respective State governments and
their respective citizens"
Discussing the attitude of the major
party presidential candidates, the COM
mittee said that, while Gov. Roosevelt
has manifested his approval for i'm
mediate modification of the Volstead
act" President Hoover "has not We.
announced his attitude on this subject
though his point OF view, while food
administrator was, and is. in complete
accord with organized 1abors demand
for immediate restoration of a bev-
erage containing not more than 275
per cent alcoholic content by weight.
Need Both Parties Aid.
There can be no possible legislative
or constitutional relief without support
OF members of beth major political
parties" the committee states. There
exists, therefore, the necessity of ex-
treme care and caution on the part OF
all VINO are sincere In their desire tc
change our present national prohibition
policy net to become divided on DO
litical party lines, but center attention
on the respective candidates for both
branches OF the Congress and to ascer-
tain their individual points of view
and attitude rather than being gov
erned wholly and solely by platform
declarations
Touching upon the eighteenth amend
ment. the committee said: Both major
political party conventions have ex-
pressed their disapproval of the eight
eenth amendment and, in substance,
have pronounced against a continual
ton of the effort to secure total alb
Stinence by constitutional prohibition.
While both political party conven-
tons have declared likewise against the
return Of the saloon, the Republican
party pronouncement would accomplish
that end through some form of Fed
eral control. while the Democratic pro-
nouncement would accomplish the same
end through State control. This, as
we understand the political party dec
larations. marks the sole important and
definite distinction between the two
political parties on this subject"