Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-15
CONTINUES
UNTIL AFTER I AIM.
Weary Members Hear Long
Discussions Before Writ
ing Party Declaration.
BY the Associated Press.

by the associated Press.
CHICAGO, June 15.-Agreed on a
tentative prohibition plank. the Reso-
!utions Subcommittee intrusted with the
TASK OF drafting the Republican plat
form adjourned today at 7:20 am.
In answer to questions just after the
adjournment, Senator Hastings of Della
ware said the prohibition plank could
DC regarded as compromise Asked
II 1t contained the word repeal" he
answered: 1T is substitute"
The Delaware Senator revealed that
the prohibition plank would be presented
TO some Of the larger State delegations
Tor approval after it was reported to
the fun committee. That procedure was
unusual.
No Minority Report.
Secretary Mills was asked II there
would be minority report on the pro-
hibition plank or any other Of the
proposed planks in the platform. He
answered: Not that know Of" Mills
said certain things" remained to be
rounded out. He did not amplify his
statement
Closeted since II o'clock last night,
members of the subcommittee were
obviously tired and they quickly shook
questioning
The expressions by Senator Hastings
were taken to mean that administra-
ton desires had prevailed and that
some form of prohibition reSubmiSsion
had been agreed upon.
Party leaders last night indicated
that efforts would be made to conciliate
the more liberal prohibition leaders
Some Of these have insisted that sub
stitute for the eighteenth amendment
be presented by Congress in the event
that resubmission were approved and
that it should go to State Legislatures
instead of State conventions.
Hours Of Discussion.
Before the carefully chosen subcom-
mitree began its work, its members had
listened to several hours of discussion.
both within and without the committee
Twice during the night members of
the subcommittee sent for steaming
pots OF hot coffee
Weighing words as carefully as mug
gets, the subcommittee Of II members
chose its language after an exhaustive
all-night discussion which was still I'M
der way long after traffic in the streets
outside had begun a steady rumble.
Parleying for days. administration
forces made concessions in the hours
just before the subcommittee began the
actual drafting
The administration does not desire
never has desired-a split with the bulk
Of those who believe the eighteenth
amendment should stay embedded in
the Constitution. Moreover, President
Hoover has declared against its repeal
Voices have constantly vibrated over a
private line leading to the White House
since the delegates began to arrive
Hundreds of miles away, Mr.. Hoover
still controls.
Awaits Convention Vote.
The immediate goal Of the subcom-
mittee was approval of the full Plat
form Committee Of the convention rep
resenting every State and outlying pos
session of the Nation.
Beyond that, however, lay the con-
vention itself, criSs-crossed with diverg
ent views that at times have seemed
irreconcilable. Not until the 1854 votes
of the great party rally have been cast
will the final form of the Republican
prohibition plank be known.
Haggard and tired, the wrinkles OF
worry on the brow of party leaders will
remain until the convention itself has
! spoken.
There was no hope Of drafting a
plank which would satisfy everybody.
| There were signs of insurgency only q
| few yards from the hotel room where
the platform builders talked and pom
! dered.
Left off the subcommittee, Senator
Bingham of Connecticut, leader OF
the aggressive group demanding repeal
| of the eighteenth amendment, led fol-
| lowers across the corridor. They draft
| ed their own plank. 1t Is certain 10
send seething waves Of approval and
disapproval over the convention floor.
Weighed Other Issues.
With what they wanted clearly in
mind, they were at home and in bed
while the subcommittee was still toll
ing and wrestling.
The subcommittee had other duties
than the drafting of prohibition
plank. Its task was to shape the
broad platform on which the party Will
make its bid for renewed approval at
the polls in November.
Other issues, however-farm relief,
foreign affairs, the. tariff, economic Is.
sues-were given only the proverblal
lick and promise by comparison to the
study bestowed on the liquor compro-
mise.
Newspaper men, lounging outside the
room where the aroused followers OF
Theodore Roosevelt decided to leave the
tent of regular republicanism in 1917,
also centered their speculation on pro-
hibition. The word will always be as
ISOLATED with the Republican conven-
ton Of 1882.
1t had echoed and re-echoed in the
room where party and national history
was and is being made before the sub
committee withdrew. VETS and drys
| xtx tt,, - nnf
their views before the committee. They
have made the sought-for compromise
so hard to attain.
Most Difficult Job.
Then came something so unusual in
party annals that members of the COM
mittee could recall no precedent. Be-
fore the subcommittee withdrew there
was general airing of opinion on the
one dominant subject. It was in a
sense a testimonial meeting. Spon-
taneously arising one by one the COM
mitteemen gave their opinions and told
the feeling of the people back home.
These expressions were a revelation
OF differences prevalent among the 9TH
er delegates and the people From Ten
nessee and South Dakota came demands
for subordination Of the prohibition
issue to other things.
In quick reply, Connecticut and Rhode
Island demanded anti-prohibition action.
Secretary Mills read, without COM
ment, the declaration of New York for
submission to State conventions of q
repeal plank.
Then the doors were closed for the
first test.