The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-06-28
WET LEADERS ARE
OPENLY AMAZED AT
CONVENTION SPIRIT
Find Unexpected Support For
Proposal Asking For Out
right Repeal

Chicago, June 2S.-(P)-A wet re-
volt of proportions surprising even its
organizers was moving on the Demo
cratic convention Tuesday demand
ing repeal of the eighteenth amend
ment 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 Mass
achusetts. After a conference Of the
wet forces, Senator Walsh admitted
his own establishment in announcing
a preliminary estimate showed 20
states and territories behind the pro-
posal. with total vote of 566.
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 hurried estimate and
presidential-m delegates have
not been polled
Southern and western forces were
rallying behind the neutral repeal
submission plank which the reso,u-
tons committee is preparing to re-
port out Tuesday night. It is the
plank advanced by the Roosevelt
leaders.
The advocates of Governor RooSe
welt of New York for the presidential
nomination pulled surprise Monday
night in the rules committee in re-
porting a proposal to have the plat
form considered by the convention
after the nomination Of the president.
It is a new plan and what effect 1t
will have on the impending prohibit
ton battle is problamatical.
List Wet States
The following states and territories
and their delegate strength We're rep
resented at the wet conference called
by Senator Walsh: New York. "a;
Pennsylvania, rs: Ohio. So; Massa-
chusetts, Sc; New Jersey, 80; Michi-
gan, 80: Minnesota, "a; Illinois. So;
Iowa, rs: Wisconsin, %: Connecticut.
l6: Maryland, 16; Florida, IA; Color
ado, IL; Oregon. 10; Rhode Island,
10; New Hampshire, 8; Alaska, g.;
Hawaii 6: Philippines, s.
Of course there was no certainty
that all the votes from these states
and territories would be cast for out
right repeal. But it was estimated by
the wet leaders some votes would be
gained from other states.
Prohibition and farm relief planks
remained for the resolutions SUBJ
committee TO be whipped into form
before the platform goes before the
whole committee Tuesday night.
The repeal submission plank is one
asking congress to submit an amens-
ment to state conventions for repeal
or retention. 1t does not commit the
party to repeal.
Dill Offers Compromise
Senator Dill, of Washington, a
member of the committee, advanced
terse. concise compromise Monday
night in % words. 1t read: I'VE
favor proposing repeal of the eight
zenith amendment to conventions
called in the states for the sole pur-
pose of acting upon that proposal"
The wet movement had taken the
prohibition camp somewhat by sur
prise and sharp counter move was
in prospect. The prohibitionists and
the veteran party leaders are convinc-
ed 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 committees seems certain.
There is considerable dispute I'M
pending also over the farm relief
plank. The leaders Of organized agrl-
culture appeared Monday night to
present their views to the committee
but they were denied admission. They
spoke sharply OF their resentment at
this reception. although it was eX-
planned to them their views already
were on file and We're favored.