Evening star., 1932-06-05
SCRAP RUM ISSUE,
DRY BOARD PLEADS
Referendum PIanks Mere Bid
for Wet Support, Strate-
gists Say.
By the Associated Press.


A new plea to the political parties
to give prohibition "the full benefit OF
the safeguards and limitations which
belong to every other provision Of the
basic law" was issued yesterday by the
National Prohibition Board of Strategy.
The board made public-and sent
every delegate to the forthcoming Re-
publican and Democratic National Con-
ventions-an expanded declaration OF
principles on which It is urging law
enforcement planks and candidates for
the presidential race.
mo political party can continue and
hold the respect and support of a
majority of the American people If it
surrenders principle on a moral issue
to expediency, even if surrender of
principle were to appear expedient,' y
the statement said The majority OF
patient with or give support to any
party that has no deep and abiding
conviction on moral issues, or that, hav-
ing such conviction. is willing to give up
the fight. The issue would not be
settled and the whole question would
become even more involved in politics
and more complicated than it is today.
Asks Effect on Parties.
What would be the effect on politi-
cal parties and party government by
the injection of the prohibition issue
into national party politics?
If one of the major national parties
were to make partisan issue of the
question and the other party were to
leave it alone would not the party re-
sponsible for the injection Of the issue
be held to account to the positive dis
advantage of that party for a genera
ton, thus involving the subject as a
major partisan issue in State and ma
tiCnal political campaigns?
Moreover. if both major parties were
to inject this issue into both plat
forms, would not such action tend to
destroy the tWo-party system In gov
ernment by reason of the fact that
thereafter in majority of congress
sional districts and States candidates
for the United States Senate, the House
of Representatives and State Legisla-
lures representing both parties would
each be placed in the position con-
stantly of being disloyal either to their
party or to their constituents?
Sop for Wet Support"
The declaration by any political
party for a referendum on prohibition
or the submission Of a repeal amend
ment is nothing more or less than a
declaration adopted for the specific
purpose Of attracting to its banners
the opponents of prohibition.
Such action, cleverly veiled though
1t might be by any party in the hope
of being able to hold its dry supporters
while attempting to undermine national
prohibition. in suggesting sop for wet
support, would be far more insidious
and would far more greatly deceive
the public than If such party were to
come out squarely against the amend
ment and demand its repeal.
Each party should declare unequiv
ocally for the observance and enforce
ment OF the prohibition law and each
party should select its standard bearers
accordingly In determining and shap-
ing any deliverance that they may
make concerning the eighteenth amend
rlent political parties cannot afford to
overlook nor ignore the fact that 1t
embodies a great moral principle and
expresses the attitude of the Govern
ment on the question of dealing with a
recognized evil"