The Waterbury Democrat., 1944-10-23
John BarIeycorn Is Major Candidate In HOtly Contested Nebraska Election
Prohibition Overshadows All Other Issues In Stirring Campaign
BY L0RNE KENNEDY NEA CorreanOnaent

Omaha, oct. IS-Overshadowing oil other November ! election Issues ln Nebraska is the question Of whether the state will vote to re- store prohibition or retain its pres- eNt local, option liquor control law,
 The wet-dry question was forced on tho ballot by on initiative peti- ton with 60S0S names, obtained through the efforts of persistent prohibitionlsts, organized aS the Allied Dry Forces of Nebraska" [" The organization is headed by Har- old Three Gun" wilson Of Line coin, . former federal prohibition administrator
 Heading the opposition to pro. hibltlon are most Nebraska news papers, an organization known as "The Committee of Men and Wom- on against Prohibition" and ana other group known as the "Nebras- ka Committee The first group, carrying the main fight, is led by Keith Neville, e North Platte tee- totaler who was Governor of Neb- raska during part of the prohihi- ton era, Tho Servicemen's Colnmit- tee Is headed by William Ritchie, Omaha lawyer and state Demo- cratic campaign director,
 Neither side has attempted to link the dry issue with partisan politics, although the Democratic State Convention adopted c plank opposing prohibition. Republicans held their state convention before the initiative petition, have made no effort since to take 0 stand. VETS WoRRIET
 Although anti-dry NebrNSkans are frankly worried over tho pos- siblllty that the prohibition lid might be slipped pack on, they be- lieYe generally that by election day enough resentment will he aroused to defeat the attempt,
 They feel they have the most ef- feetiVe argument. Instead of meet. Ing tho issue head-on, most prohi- bition opponents have urged that 1t would be better to defeat the pro- posed dry law now and settle the ls. sue again finally when 100000 Neb. raska service men are home again and can participate in tho decision,
 Opponents termed the le44 dry vote aS 70 sly trick" to force the issue in the absence of fighting forces. They also capitalized on the fact that $2,000,000 yearly Is contributed to the state old ago pen. sion program from liquor and beer revenue and that breweries buy Q million dollars worth of Nebraska grain annually.
 Neville's committee, spend In E heavily on advertising of nearly every form, charged the dry fore- eS lacked true interest in state well fare when they submitted the ques. ton without providing Q means Of enforcing prohibition or supplying substitute finances for old age pen. sionS between November ' and such time as the i946 legislature can enact iegislAtion.
 Most effective document produc. cd against the dry cause was 0 full page advertisement In state papers, reproducing c petition against pro. hibitlon which was prepared and signed by 3i2 soldiers of the famous i34th Infantry, formerly the Neb. raska National Guard.
 Tn petition was sent home from France by Col. Butler Miltonbergor, reglmental commander and former duck hunting companion Of former governor Neville, It was solled from being circulated In the field just after the i34th succeeded In q bloody, costly, break.through ct st' Lo. A facsimile of oil signatures was printed along with the soldiers statement that: