The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-04-22
MAJOR PARTIES ARE
QUESTIONING SELVES
| ON TWO Big issues
Hoover's Stand on Prohibition,
Roosevelt Economic Pro.
gram Are Puzzles
SILENCE APPEARS GOLDEN
Neither Seems to Be Handi-
capped in Pre-Convention
Scurry For Votes
BY BYRON PRICE

Washington. April 22.-P)-A lull
in the furious spring drive of dele
gate-choosing has given the two ma
jor parties an opportunity this weel;
for serious self questioning on two
paramount issues:
What does President Hoover intend
to do about prohibition, and how does
Governor Roosevelt propose to restore
prosperity?
On neither OF these topics have in
curing party minds been able to
achieve satisfaction. Hoover either
has not made up his mind on the wet
dry question. or he prefers momen-
tarily to keep the decision to himself
Roosevelt either has thought out no
complete plan for economic recovery
or he believes the time Is not ripe to
announce 1t.
No outward omen indicates this
hesitation is handicapping either in
his bid for the nomination. II things
go on as they have been going, the
Republicans will name Hoover and
the Democrats Roosevelt
Pressure Is Heavy
The pressure on the president to
say something on prohibition has be-
come terrific. He has received repre-
sensations amounting almost to de-
mands from both sides. Some Of his
own cabinet want the party definitely
to part company with the Anti-Saloon
League and declare for a referendum
One prohibition organization after
another, including an imposing group
OF women during the present week,
has served rotice they will quit him
If he wavers.
Very business-like indeed appear
the preparations of the organized
drys. In New York state they have
made tentative plans to run an indie
pendent set of presidential electors.
Everywhere they are talking purpose
fully Of third party-a threat which
OF course falls most heavily on the
Republicans, since even the dry or
ganization leaders now foresee eithe,
the Democratic platform or the DEM
ocratic candidate. or both, are likely
to be unacceptable.
1t is one Of the most disconcerting
things a presidential candidate has
had to face in recent years. The in
ner circle Of Hoover's friends believe
he intends to say nothing at all until
convention time, and then stand on
whatever plank the party Is able to
agree upon. On the same authority.
his hope and expectation is that the
Republicans will not go so far toward
modification as the Democrats do.
Roosevelt Also Delays
A parallel delay appears in the
cards with respect to Governor Roose-
velt's plans to help "the little man"
along toward prosperity. His st.
Paul speech has not quieted those
who are demanding that he get down
to brass tacks and say just what he
would do in the white house. That
demand Is sure to become more and
more insistent since many Democratic
leaders are convinced only construc-
tive program can win.
The explanation passed around
among Roosevelt's friends Is that he
already has such a constructive pro-
gram but sees no need of outlining 1t
in detail under present changing con-
ditions; that he is. fully confident Of
the nomination and. wisely. is saving
his ammunition for the ensuing cam
paign.
Whether this be true or not, the s..
Paul speech indicated the governors
eye Is on November, rather than June.