Evening star., 1933-02-21
GOVERNORS SENT
REPEALER COPIES
Stimson Dispatches Papers
I as Fifteen States Start
; Procedure.
(Continued From First Page.)

Ter insisting that the power belonged to
Congress.
Representatives La Guardia, Repub-
Ican, of New York and Chairman
Summers of the House Judiciary Com
nittee promptly introduced bills to pro-
vide for the conventions.
With the expressed opposition, how
ever, of Speaker Garner and other lead
ers, who believed with Beck that the
State Legislatures should have chance
to act, little hope was voiced for en-
actment of these measures
Edward B. Dunford, general counsel
of the Anti-Saloon League, said today
his organization would immediately
challenge in the courts any law passed
by Congress Ito set up or regulate"
State conventions to vote on repeal
Dunford expressed the opinion that
conventions provided for by State
Legislatures would be constitutional,
but challenged the constitutionality of
any act by Congress to establish con-
Tentions.
In many Of the legislative and execu-
tve chambers over the country scant
attention was being paid to the dispute
ever procedure, and movements went
forward to set up the conventions.
Wyoming was away out ahead, for its
Governor has signed bill to provide
Tor the constitutional convention.
Other States in which action was be-
gun IN some quarter yesterday are
Massachusetts,, New York, Ohio. Wis
conSin, Georgia, New Jersey, West Vir-
ginia Arizona, Missouri, Delaware, CAL
ifornia. Michigan, Iowa and Pennsyl-
pania
First of the dry law supporters to
predict fight to the finish" was
Dunford, who said 1t would be carried
ON in the election of delegates and
IL necessary, in legal proceedings.
Foresees New Party.
Another thought was advanced by
Mrs. Henry w. Peabody, general chair
man Of the Woman's National Commit
tee for Law Enforcement, who asserted
that the repeal resolution had brought
the birth 'of new party"
The committee Immediately issued an
invitation to representatives from the
States already organized for political
action and those who wish to join to
confer in April on movement looking
toward a rational coalition party ready
for action in 1894"
Mrs. Peabody said the party would
be shared equally" by men and women
in defense against return of the
saloon.
Asserting that the congressional ac-
ton on repeal "bartered public health
and safety" Mrs, Jesse w. Nicholson,
head of the National Woman's Demo-
cratic Law Enforcement League, joined
in the call for the April meeting
Women, she said, who have been be-
trayed will rise up in every State in the
Union and prevent repeal"
Both the wet and dry leaders were
reluctant to discuss in detail the States
which were being depended upon to
furnish the necessary votes for one side
or the other
Bishop James Cannon, jr., of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, South. has
predicted that at least one-half of the
States would disapprove the resolution.
z Thirteen could block ratification.
One leader of feminine group favor
ing the dry laws, but who asked that her
name not be used, enumerated possible
dry States as Kansas, Nebraska, Ala
bama, Mississippi Maine, Vermont,
New Hampshire, Arkansas, Idaho and
Oklahoma
Rufus S. Lusk, legislative represent
alive of the Crusaders, wet organiza-
tion, said it would 'be easier to name
the dry States than the wet States"
Names Hopeless" States.
He named as almost hopeless for
the vets" Kansas, Mississippi, Okla
homa, Arkansas and Nebraska. He de-
scribed as doubtful Alabama, Yer
mont, Maine and Idaho, but claimed
all other States for the wet column.
Jouette Shouse, president of the As
sociation Against the Prohibition
Amenment, said any action taken by
the State Legislatures "can do no pos
sible harm and may advance substan-
tally the opportunity for decision"
He urged election of delegates to
State conventions on the "at large"
basis in order to show popular senti-
ment.
DR.. Edwin c. Dinwiddie, secretary of
the National Conference of Organiza-
tionS Supporting the Eighteenth
Amendment, said
THE people will be guilty of COL
loSSal folly if they change the national
prohibition policy for the illusory pros
pect Of promoting Temperance, reduc-
ing unemployment, benefiting agricul-
ture, improving business, securing law
enforcement and bettering social and
political conditions through the legal
1Eation of the wet trade"
The beer bill, to which Mr. Roose-
welt alluded, is awaiting Senate action
Democratic Leader Robinson was un-
certain Of its changes, while Speaker
Garner said the House was ready to
act on the Senate changes if the bill
comes back.