Evening star., 1933-07-06
FIGHT FOR REPEAL
TAKEN INTO SOUTH
Farley Urges North Carolina
to Elect Wet Delegates
in November.
BY G. GOULD LINCOLN.

Roosevelt administration Postmaster
General James A. Farley, who Is chair
man Of the Democratic National Com
mittee, speaking at the dedication of
the new Federal building at Greensboro,
N. c., urged the people of the Tar Heel
State to elect repeal delegates to the
State constitutional convention which is
10 pass upon the amendment to the
Constitution.
Prohibitionists as well as anti-prohi-
bltlon1sts are marshalling their follow
ers Tor the contest which takes place
November Z in North Carolina The
address made today by Mr.. Farley in
Greensboro is regarded as a definite
move to line up the Democrats of the
state for the repeal movement there
North Carolina was one of the four
states OF the Democratic solid South"
which turned down Alfred E. Smith,
the wet Democratic candidate for Presi-
dent IN 1928. Last year. however, it
swung heavily back into the Demo-
cratlc column, supporting President
Roosevelt, an avowed campaigner
against the eighteenth amendment.
Urges Wet Delegates.
That the President and members of
MS cabinet would do what they could
TO aid IN the ratification by the States
OF the amendment to repeal national
prohibition has been well understood.
Indeed, the repeal forces have counted
on Just such aid from the Chief Execu-
tive as they are now getting. Here is
what Mr. Farley had to say on the sub
Ject OF prohibition repeal to the people
OF North Carolina today:
While the Democratic party of
North Carolina has been generally har-
monious, and especially so in rolling up
great democratic majorities, as wit
messed by the 100000 majority given to
Franklin Roosevelt. there have been
olHerences concerning a controversial
question, which have not been confined
entirely to your State I refer to the
prohibition question. Your Democratic
Legislature, I am informed has called
for an election in November for a con-
stltutlonal convention to pass upon tte
repeal OF the eighteenth amendment.
In the election of delegates to that con-
vention I hope you will have a we'll
tempered and tolerant campaign and
that where you must differ you will do
so in peace and within the bounds of
the party.
My own views on this matter are
definite and well known. l am for re-
peal OF the eighteenth amendment, the
President is for the repeal of the eight
zenith amendment and the national
party platform declares for the repeal
OF that amendment. Your Represent
atives in the Congress of the United
States unanimously voted for the sub
mission of this question to the electo-
late of the several States. and in doing
so they fulfilled the pledge of the party
in national convention at Chicago. 1t
is my firm belief that repeal will de-
crease the evil in drinking. l believe it
will eliminate the Illicit and unlawful
sale of liquor in spcakeasies and by
itinerant bootlegging. After repeal shall
have been voted. the right Of your State
of North Carolina to determine its own
methods of dealing with the liquor
traffic will be firmly established, and the
Federal Government will Cooperate
with you to the end that the will Of
your State shall prevail within its boun-
daries. This is true democracy, and 1t
its states rights.
Appeal to Whole South.
There is another phase of this ques-
ton that ought TO be seriously consid-
cred by every voter. The special ses-
sion of Congress recently adjourned was
compelled to levy taxes of 1920 900 900
to provide interest charges on upward
of $4,000, 100000 of bonds to be issued
under the national industrial recovery
and public works acts. 1t is estimated
that the revenue to the Government re-
sulting from the repeal of the eight
eenth amendment will not be less than
$500 0OO,O annually. This revenue
would result in wiping out taxes levied
to provide for industrial recovery and
IL Nvi arvnr7
in the reduction of other taxes"
With the States of the North, East
and West. not to mention the border
States so called. turning their backs on
national prohibition, the sole remain
ing hope of the prohibitionists has lain
in the South, where prohibition has
been regarded for years as a settled
issue. Mr.. Farley's appeal to the people
of North Carolina, of course, will be re-
garded as an appeal to the people c. all
the ether Southern States, as well as to
those other States Of the Union which
have not already voted on the repeal
amendment.
Well informed Democratic leaders
from North Carolina today in Wash
ington predict that the State will 60
for repeal of the eighteenth amend
ment on November by substantial
ma jority." They point out that the po-
litical set-up in the State is entirely
favorable to the repealiSts. although
they admit that efforts are being made
by some of the Republicans to line up
Republican voters generally in opposi-
ton to repeal Indeed, this nlanc"ver-
ing by the Republicans in North Caro-
lima seems to be the only thing that
gives the repealists concern. .- -
Elected Wet Senator.
Practically none of the Democratic
leaders now in power in North Caro-
lima are supporting the dry cause. The
organization, therefore, Is on the side
of the repealists. On the other hanu,
the Anti-Saloon League and other dry
organizations are doing their best 10
stir up opposition to repeal. NThelr
movements IN the State, however, has
suffered in the last year or two se-
verely. as it has elsewhere. The wets
are better supplied with the necessary
campaign funds, too.
The last Statewide contest involving
tn, prohibition issue took place first in
the primaries for the nomination of
Senator. when Senator Reynolds de-
feated the dry Cameron Morrison by
very considerable vote, and then in the
election itsclf
President Roosevelt carried Norta
Caroline fC,inc5 former President
Hoover lat yea By a vote of 497,00u
to 100000. TIL, prohibition issue did
not enter into the contest to any great
extent Nj. Eoover had declared that
the eighteenth amendment must be
modified GraStically. But it is clear
that if the Democrats chcuid divide at
all equally on the repeal issue nsxt No.
vember and the g.est majority of the
100000 Republicans who stood by
Hoover should vote dry" there would
be danger to the ratification of the new
amendment to the Constitution BY
North Carolina. The belief is expressed,
however, that the rank and file of tbs
Republicans in North Carolina will not
seek to make party issue out of it,
with the G! o, p. aligned with the
drys, even though their leaders may
hope to embarrass the Democrats py
such a movement