Evening star., 1932-06-28
I AND IMMEDIATE MODIFICATION
WALSH LAUNCHES
SMITH WET PLANK
Massachusetts Senator De-
CIareS Survey Shows 20
States Back Proposal.
BY FRANCIS NJ. STEPHENSON.

BY FRANCIS NJ. STEPHENSON.
CHICAGO, June % pa wet re-
volt OF proportions surprising even its
organizers was moving on the Demo-
cratic convention today demanding re-
peal of the eighteenth amendment and
immediate modification Of the Volstead
act.
This platform plank was proposed by
Alfred E. Smith and the drive was
launched by Senator Walsh of Massa-
chusetts. After a conference of the
wet forces Senator Walsh conceded. to
his own astonishment in announcing
that preliminary estimate showed 20
States and Territories behind the pro-
posal, with total vote of 566.
Close to Majority Vote.
This is within a dozen votes Of the
majority necessary for adoption of a
platform plank expressing the party
in favor of repeal However the total
is a hurried estimate and presidential
minded delegates have not been polled.
Southern and Western forces were
rallying behind the neutral repeal sub
mission plank which the Resolutions
Committee is preparing to report out
tonight. 1t is the plank advanced by
the Roosevelt leaders.
New York for the presidential nomina-
ton pulled surprise last night in the
Rules Committee in reporting a pro-
posal to have the platform considered
by the convention after the nomina-
ton OF the President. 1t is a new plan
and what effect it will have on the
impending prohibition battle is prob
lematical.
Fav0rah hIe States
The following States and Territories
and their delegate strength were repre-
sented at the wet conference called by
Senator Walsh: New York, 94 Pennsyl-
vania, rs; Ohio, So; Massachusetts. 36;
New Jersey, 80; Michigan. 3d. Mime
sofa, "a; Illinois, So; Iowa, 26 wiscon-
sin, 26; Connecticut, 16 Maryland. I6:
Florida, IA; Colorado, IL; Oregon, 10:
Rhode Island, 10; New Hampshire, 8:
Alaska, 6; Hawaii, 6; Philippines, 6.
OF course, there was no certainty
that all the votes from these States and
Territories would be cast for outright
repeal. But it was estimated by the
wet leaders that some votes would be
gained from other States.
Prohibition and farm relief planks re-
mained for the resolutions subcommit-
tee to be whipped into form today be-
fore the 1882 Democratic platform goes
before the whole committee tonight
The repeal submission plank has the
votes in the Resolutions Committee by
a substantial margin
Compromise Offered.
Senator Dill of Washington. a mem
Der of the committee, advanced a terse,
concise compromise last night in %
words. 1t read: I'VE favor proposing
repeal of the eighteenth amendment to
| conventions called in the States for the
sole purpose of acting upon that pro-
posal
The wet movement had taken the
prohibition camp somewhat by surprise
and sharp counter move was in pros
pect. The prohibitionistS and the vet
eran party leaders are convinced that
it is unwise to seek to pledge the party
| for repeal.
Senator Walsh is determined to take
the contest to the floor If he loses in
the committee-as seems certain. He
Is counting on the speaking support of
I Smith.
Fight Over Farm Relief.
There is considerable dispute .mpend-
ing also over the farm relief plank. The
leaders of organized agriculture ap-
PC0lCd loot AllSAAJ W plCSCI4L bIltH VIEWS
to the committee, but they were denied
admission. They spoke sharply of their
resentment at this reception, although
it was explained to them that their
views already were on file and were
favored
L. j. Taber, master of the National
Grange; E. A. O'Neal of the American
Farm Bureau Federation and j. A.
Simpson of the Farmers Union called
at the committee room. They said they
were not advocating specific methods,
such as the controversial equalization
fee or export debenture, for the plat
form declaration, but were demanding
plank calling for recognition Of the
principle that the farmers should re-
ceive the cost of production for prod
ucts sold in this country.