Evening star., 1951-02-27
Dry Spokesman Calls Donohue Unfit for Post

Calls DOnOhue
tice," he said, "to ignore the voice
or desires Of the people," con-
tending that in the Donohue case
"the voice of the people was COM
pletely ignored"
Senator Pastore asked him If hi
did not think it important that
the ministerial union was making
no attack on the character Of the
nominee and DR.. Willingham re.
piled that as to his character 1--WE
grant 1t is above reproach." He
added that the question was one
OF the nominees Judgment that
might be Influenced" by his past
connections.
Senator Pastore interjected:
What you are saying is that any
one with that background should
be barred from appointment as q
Commissioner"
Denies Anti Catholic Basis.
When the witness did not dis
agree with that Senator Pastore
asked for an example of how the
welfare Of the District might be
prejudiced because of Mr.. Deno-
hue's past connection with liquor
interests. The witness said he
would not attempt to do that and
replied, There are various ways
Of interpreting the law"
Senator Pastore retorted:
"And wouldn't that depend upon
the character and integrity of the
Commissioner"
DR.. Reissig told the committee
there had been an unprecedented
ground-swel of opposition to the
nomination. He stressed that reli-
gious affiliation has absolutely
nothing to do with our opposi-
tion." He said the opposition in
cludes one prominent Catholic, but
he didn't name him. Mr.. Dono-
hue is Catholic.
Chairman Nicely broke in to say,
"If it were a religious question,
this committee would not be con-
Quoting this hearing"
DR.. Reissig repeated objections
20 Mr.. Donohue which he stated
recently at the committees "legis-
lative clinics"
Rumors FLOATING Around"
Senator Case, Republican, Of
South Dakota, asked DR.. Reissig if
there was anything suspicious" IL.
the surprise nomination of MIR.
Donohue, and the witness replied
there had been rumors floating
around"
Senator Hunt, Democrat. Of
Wyoming asked If the witness
cared to state what the rumors
were and where they came from.
After some thought, DR.. Reissig
said he thought he would not want
to go into that.
Senator Hunt said it was pos
sible he might not agree with the
Donohue opposition as stated by
today's witnesses but told DR.. Reis-
sig II do admire you" for stating
his position.
The Wyoming Senator added:
"If I thought your position would
reduce the use of hard liquor, I'd
be right in there on your side"
''Worse Possible Choice"
Senator Welker asked if it would
lease the tension" If Mr.. Donohue
would agree to help divest himself
as commissioner from duties su-
pervising the ABC board.
DR.. Reissig replied that it had
been brought out in the press
that would be impossible because
all three members of the board of
commissioners are responsible for
board decisions.
DR.. Reissig also referred to
the suggestion by Commissioner
John Russell Young that he was
willing to take over direct SUI
pervision of the ABC board
and that this reinforced" his
thought that the suggestion had
no merit.
Chairman Neely, referring to
the suggestion that Commissioner
Young supervise the ABC Board.
said: "You wouldn't be for that
I think that would be the
worst choice that could possibly
be made"
Recalls Address by Young.
Senator Welker asked about
"the mass of publicity" the Dis
trict is getting about the lack OF
law enforcement, and Dr., Reissig
replied. "We are exceedingly dis
tressed over this publicity over the
1sck of 1aw eaforcement and the