The Indianapolis times., 1932-06-21
BY LYLE c. WILSON
United Press Staf CorreSnond.,t

NORMAN, Okla. June 2i-
There are many indications in this
statewide former stronghold of pro-
hlbition that beer-for-revenue
project would be welcomed bv tens
of thousands, and perhaps a ma
jority Of the tax-burdened electo-
rate.
There are indications. too that
political wise men were mistaken
when they said the Republican ma
tional convention spent too much
time on the prohibition question.
But there does not seem to be vast
satisfaction hereabouts in the prohi-
bition plank finally offered and
adopted by the convention at Chi
cago last week.
R. W. Hutto, president of the
Security National bank. sits shirt
sleeved in his Office in a handsome
new bank building, and discusses
these matters.
There haven't been any bank rob-
berries in this university town. but a
precautionary shotgun leans handy
in a corner back of President Hut
toS desk.
Democrats Opportunity
This" said Hutto, 'is the Demo-
Gratis golden opportunity. They can
take the prohibition question, and
do something with it.
People in our part of the coun-
try have the idea that the Repub-
icans straddled on that question.
why, I remember when I came
to the university here there were
fourteen saloons in two blocks on
Main street, and I'll bet there IL
more liquor in private homes today
than there was then.
THE women are switching on the
prohibition question. Even some of
the white ribboners' are coming
around to the opinion that there
ought to be change.
Il think that plank the Repub-
licans rejected is a pretty good one,
but there would have to be some
form of acceptable regulation. We
don't want any saloons"
Sees Lack of Leadership
Hutto explained that revenue
potential in beer and light wines
was extremely tempting, but that
that there was dissatisfaction also
with prohibition conditions, aside
from that phase of it.
This banker is a Democrat. He
thinks President Hoover lacks in
leadership, but that he has visual
lied and proposed remedies for some
great national problems.
II the Democrats nominate Gov
ernor Roosevelt" he continued, "I
guess l would vote for Hoover. I
think Newton D. Baker is the man
this part of the country wants"
There was not in Huttos conver-
sation or in. that of others in this
little city the bitter protest against
depression, which may be heard in
other Oklahoma towns.
Protests on Congress
The reason is that Norman haa
two large state institutions, a uni
versity and hospital for the insane.
salaries have been reduced. but paw
rolls remain large and the students
contribute sufficient to keep business
moving along in fairly satisfactory
But protests against congress
which echo in Chickasha. Oklahoma
City and elsewhere over the state
are to be heard in Norman.
Editor Fred Tarman of the Nor
man Transcript believes that in
the last sixty days Mr.. Hoover has
gained somewhat in popular sympa-
thy at the expense of congress-
The idea being that perhaps Mr..
Hoover had had more to offer.
Repeal Sentiment Strong
Graham Johnson, who used to
call signals for Benny ovens foot
ball team about the time Of the
war, and who now discounts the pa
per OF time-payment automobile
buyers, predicts general slaughter
u congressional incumbents.
ANY Democrat can be elected
President" Johnson told the United
Press, but not many congressman
are going to be reelected"
Like the banker, Mr.. johnson sees
n the repeal Of prohibition a source
II urgently needed revenue. That
seems to be pretty general.
And it should be remembered that
MS state is a veteran Of prohibi-
lon-came into the union in 1907 as
/ dry state
Old-timers still tell how the gut
,ers around the New State brew
'ry in Oklahoma City we're flushed
With amber brew, a sacrifice to !
4 tatahnnd ,