Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-01-19
DRY SOUTH BLOCKS.
VETS, BARTON SAYS.
Voters Will Defy Party Lines
if Necessary, Asserts
League Leader.

to wet presidential candidate in 1882,
no matter what his political affiliation,
Dr. A. J. Barton. chairman of the Ex-
ecutive Committee of the Antl-Saloon
League declared at the leagues con-
vention this afternoon at the May
flower. This statement came on the
heels of a much Criticized speech by
Gov. William H. Alfalfa Bill" Murray
last night before the convention, in
which he suggested that the solution
Of the liquor problem might lie IN
system of zone" control.
While not mentioning Gov. MurrayS
name. Dr. Barton hit at his suggestion
that leagues" of States might be
formed by the individual States, making
treaties with the Federal Government
and the liquor traffic regulated accord
ing to the wishes of each individual
"league" or zone
Hits States Rights Talk.
1.-THE South will not be misled by the
hue and cry about States rights. Ut.
Barton declared. The South knows
that the vets who are now paying lip
service TO States rights either do not
understand what States rights mean or
else are deliberately or maliciouSly mis-
interpreting and perverting this thing
which is sacred and fundamental IN our
Government.
DR.. Barton said he wished to warn all
political party leaders that If they de-
sire or expect the support OF the South
they must stand before the South with
clean hands and pure hearts on the
subject of prohibition and must not at
tempt to betray the convictions OF the
South or destroy the highest interests
of the South and the highest interests
of the American people"
The speaker charged that Judge
ships have been bartered and sold like
sheen in the shambleS by such ma
chimes as Tammany Hall. No candl-
date for the presidency can or VIII re-
ceiye the support of the Southern pep-
ple who comes forth with the badge ana
smell of Tammany Hall upon him, Ut.
Barton told the league.
League leaders said that no ofhclal
statement would be issued as had been
predicted, repudiating the suggestion
made by Gov. Murray.
In view OF the treatment given
Z Gov. Murray's address in the morning
newspapers" DR.. A. j. Barton declared
2 ''no statement from the league seems
necessary"
DR.. F, Scott Mcbride, general super
intendent of the league, said he con-
sidered the matter a closed incident
and that the leagues official stand on
the liquor question would be mace pup
lie in declaration of policy tonight.
Interruption Averted.
4 The Oklahoma Governor made MS
suggestion in the packed nail OF inc
Mayflower Hotel, where recently Demo.
cratic speakers derided prohlpltlon al
10
interruption of the speech OF the PIC
turesoue Oklahoman from the floor by
members of the league probably was
averted only because Gov. Murray
divereed from the advance copy OF ms
sneech furnished newspaper men ana
toned down considerably several state
ments he had intended utterlng
Last night Dr. Barton let 1T be known
that he intended rising during GOV.
Murrays speech and denying That the
views being expressed were those OF Ihe
league. - ,s s,,r
posed to saw" DR.. Barton declared after
ward land l didn't know what TO 40.
Gov. Murray made it clear that ne
considered the plan for liquor control
he outlined only possible solution.
He said that he wished lit especially
noted that I am pointing out what
could be done. and how. and not oner-
ing any plan for solution"
The scheme outlined calls for lorna
ton of various zones" or groups CT
States by treaty between the States and
the Federal Government. One group
might have wine, another beer ana
third might be bone dry. Interstate
commerce in alcoholics between these
groups or leagues would be prohibited.
The speaker said at the outset that
he wanted to discuss possible changes
on the light of possible eventualltleS
and of possible retreats"
He prefaced his advancement of the
regional control plan by the statement
that prohibition possibly is not the
final solution Of the problem of control
OF the liquor traffic
In the advance copy Of his speech he
stated that lit is my judgment now
that prohibition will not prove the
wisest legal solution Of the control OF
the liquor traffic"
Leaves Out Criticism.
In his prepared speech Gov. Murray
also said that he thought law pro-
hibiting only the sale and transporta-
ton of liquor, and which would have
allowed the home manufacture of wines
and beer, would have been more salts
factory than the Volstead law. He
omitted this, however, in his address be-
fore the Anti-Saloon League delegates.
Word of the probable tenor of Gov.
Murrays speech reached the MayfoWer
Hotel which is the conventions head
quarters, less than an hour before the
evening meeting was TO begin.
League leaders hastily conferred. After
talking at length with DR.. Barton, H. T.
Stota Cn1rpri1tpn6pnt of the
league in Oklahoma, who had extended
the invitation TO speak took seat be-
side Gov. Murray and talked earnestly
with him until the Governor began his
address
Explaining the divergence from his
prepared copy, Gov Murray said:
II got started on the wrong foot, and
I never could get back to my text. But
III stand back Of every word intended
to say.
Il was satisfied that a lot OF people
in the audience did not think as l do.
! kept a close eye on the crowd and
knew they weren't in sympathy with
my views. The mentality Of the crowd
wasn't what I expected
The Oklahoma superintendent of
the league, who introduced me, advised
me ought 10 make straight prohibit
ton speech, and l felt with the cold
ness of the audience, that / might
embarrass the Executive Committee, so
] did tone down my speech"
After the speech was completed DR..
Barton hastily gathered together a
group of the league leaders and argued
for the issuance Of statement immedi-
ately.
DepIores Murray Speech.
Former Representative William D.
Upshaw OF Georgia, now president of
the National Christian Citizenship
Foundation, characterized Gov. Muir
rays address as most unfortunate"
Mr.. Upshaw said:
1T is most unfortunate that Gov,
Murray, after having declared himself
for prohibition. made a mental eXcur-
Nrln fnar will be WIDELY in