The American Issue

HERE IS INFORMATION WORTHY CONSIDERATION

Some Facts Brought Out by Wet Leaders at the Hearing of the Lobby Committee of Congress

RASKOB'S TESTIMONY

Some Interesting Points in Connection with the Purposes and Operation of the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment

The printed report of the sub-committee of congress on lobbying activities carries much information concerning the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment, and some of its officials and members.

Mr. Raskob, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, figured in the report as submitted. Mr. Raskob was a witness before the committee. He is a member of the finance committee of the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment, and also a director.

Mr. Raskob was a Republican, and is yet a member of the Union League Club, a Republican organization.

Mr. Raskob conducted the campaign of Al Smith, Democratic candidate for president, two years ago.

Here are some of the details brought out in the committee hearings:

PURPOSE OF WETS

Raskob said the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment will do everything in its power to elect representatives who will favor the modification or repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment.

Raskob testified he had given $64,500 in three years to this wet society to nullify or do away with the dry law.

In that time the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment considered forming a wet political party, at the very time Raskob was a Republican and also a Democratic campaign manager.

Raskob and four of his associates for the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment underwrote the $25,000 salary Henry G. Curran received as president of the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment.

Some ninety or ninety-five per cent of all the funds of the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment came from the pockets of fifty-three wealthy men, and seventy per cent of all the funds were contributed the first two months of this year by seven men.

Three members of the duPont family last year contributed more money to destroy prohibition than all the churches of Ohio contributed to the Anti-Saloon League to maintain prohibition.

Mr. Raskob is quoted as saying that, "The menace of prohibitory laws is the spirit of intolerance underlying their adoption, and this is bound to result in revolution."

Arthur W. Machen, head of the Maryland branch of the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment, said early this year, "If a dry tyranny is not overthrown by ballots now, it is bound to be destroyed by bullets hereafter."

Captain Stayton testified to the effect that wealthy income taxpayers figured their income taxes could be lowered by legalizing and taxing beer, and then the beer drinkers would pay the tax.

The Association Against the Prohibition Amendment is trying to raise a million dollar campaign fund this year to be used in nominating and electing congressmen and United States senators who will vote to nullify or repeal the Eighteenth Amendment and the enforcement law.

The Association Against the Prohibition Amendment spent $468,000 last year in an attempt to do away with prohibition.