Evening star., 1932-12-20
PARTIES WARNED
AGAINST BEER BILL
Political Death Threatens
Supporters, Declares Re-
form Federation.

Passage by Congress of a beer bill
would mean the end Of the political
party or parties which support 1t, Con-
gress was warned in letter from Rev
DR.. William Sheafe Chase, superintend-
ent of the International Reform Fed
Grafton.
If this collier bill is enacted by the
Democratic party, its term Of rule will
suddenly terminate" the letter stated
"It will show that the Democratic party
is the tool of the saloon system and
cannot serve the people.
If this bill is enacted by the CO.
operation of the two parties, it means
the birth of a new party, similar to the
death Of the Whig party and the re-
tirement of the Democratic party when
it became the tool of the slave business. "
The arguments were presented that
the 80 per cent beer proposed would be
intoxicating in fact; that the revenue
features of the bill are improper since
the permission to manufacture the bev-
erage Is contrary to the Constitution; !;
that it violates both party platforms by
not providing against the return Of the
saloon; that it would be Of no economic
benefit, and that it Is an attempt to tax
the poor for the benefit of the rich.
If the Democratic party'S first act"
Dr. Chase declared, lis thus to nullify
the prohibition amendment it will bring
back the saloon and help the rich brew
ers once more to secure and increase
their Strangle hold over politics. It will
be like firing on Fort Sumter
1.-THE Democrats cannot more clearly
show that their friendship for the poor
Is mere pretense, than by the enact
ment Of the per cent beer bill. The
Democratic party could not more Ger
tainly betray the poor, or make a
acting this beer bill at time when peo-
pie are starving for bread and asking
for employment
For any congressman. wet or dry.
who wishes the name of statesman or
patriot. or long continuance in public
office, to vote for the bill, in spite of the
probable veto Of President Hoover and
certain action of the Supreme Court, is
suicidal"
Denial that the Democratic victory
In the recent election was a mandate
for modification of the ,Vostead act
was made in the letter.
The fact that Gov. Roosevelt carried
every dry State in the country. except
Maine" the communication stated, I'm
dicates that the major issue was bread
not beer and the prohibitionists, having
no effective way of voting against beer,
voted for bread. No one can imagine
that Kansas voted for Roosevelt because
he was wet, but because they hoped he
would help the farmer better than the
Republicans had done"
Members of Congress are not bound
by the actions of what were termed the
'mob-ruled Chicago conventions" DR..
Chase stated, and should vote accord
ing to their own conscience and the
wishes Of their constituents.
Answering the argument that a tax
on beer would balance the budget, DIR.
Chase asserted: "The liquor tax will
not do it. The most just taxes are upon
inheritanceS and upon net incomes.
Net income taxes have been largely
evaded. These taxes with an increased
tax on gasoline and on tobacco will pro-
vide the needed revenue. What is
needed is an efficient and fearless ad-
miniStration of the Department of
Justice, so that immensely wealthy
persons shall not escape paying an
equitable proportion Of the income
taxes"