AMERICAN POLITICS

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 May 1924, Page 5

AMERICAN POLITICS

PROHIBITION INTRIGUES. (Australian aud N.Z. Cable Association.) NEW YORK, May 6. The controvert regarding Dr. Butler’s speech attacking prohibition (on April 30) has developed a new turn, it being suggested that Dr. Butler (who is President of Mr. Coolidge’s Republican Election Committee) may be angling for nomination for the Vice Presidency, While this motive has been authoritatively denied, observers point out that Mr. Coolidge, wlic is considered a Prohibitionist, might benefit by having as a running mate an eminent citizen who is liberal on prohibition matters.. This would be specially valuable if the Democratic Convention should offer consolation to the so-called “Wets.” Meantime, the extent of popular feel-

ing on the question may be judged from Dr. ,Butler’s receipt of more than ten thousand communications. One politician was particularly an-, gered by Mr. Butler’s stand on prohibit ion. The Columbia local Methodist Ministerial Association, representing nearly two hundred ministers, adopted a resolution censuring Dr. Butler, saying: “We protest against this attitude regarding prohibition, which is not the right kind of patriotic example to set before thousands of young men and women training for citizenship.” Tne resolution further requested the Trustees •to dismiss Dr. Butler. The

Trustees, however, unanimously refused. WORLD COURT. WASHINGTON, May 6. Senator Swanston (Democrat), of Virginia, will introduce in the Senate a resolution providing for American participation in the World Court, with reservations as recommended by Secretary Hughes, the chief of which states: “Such adhesion to the Court shall not be taken to involve any legal relation on the part of the United States to the League of Nations, or any assumption of obligations by the United States under covenant of the League. ’ ’ LABOUR’S REQUIREMENTS.

WASHINGTON, May 6. The American Federation of Labour has issued a political bulletin outlining its demands before giving support to any party at the coming election? The bulletin declares, initially, that there must be a revival of the spirit of honesty, integrity and high mindedness in public office. The astounding revelations during the past three months are a proof of the need of a great regeneration of American idealism. Labour, moreover, asks for the repeal of the anti-Trust laws applying to Labour organisations, and the continuation of the sharply-graduated income inheritance tax. It favours reductions mainly beneficial for small incomes, and favours also the United States entrance into the League of Nations, and the World Court. It asks for a permanent immigration policy, enforcing strict exclusion for many years to come. It wants the power of the Supreme Court curtailed, and the Judiciary’s power to issue injunctions in connection with Labour disputes removed. It declares the Volstead law is an improper interpretation of the Eighteenth Amendment, and wants a modification to permit 2.75 per cent, alcohol beer. It concludes: “We need less ‘thou shalt not’ in our laws.”

ALBANY’S CLEAN-UP.

NEW YORK, May 0.

A telegram from Albany stated “Emulating Philadelphia’s example, this city has, engaged a military officer to “clean up” the municipality, which is charged to be' vice-stricken. Albany is the capital of New York State, and when the Legislative ended its session last week, it is alleged the Legislators indulged in a last moment orgy wherein liquor flowed freely. Roulette faro and pool rooms where race track betting occurs, are within a few squares of the Capital building. The so-called red lights district is also within the neighbourhood and special hotels for Legislators are conveniently located. Mayor Hackett declared that the police were insufficient and corrupt, and the force will be thoroughly reformed, and the boot-leggers will be driven out of the city.

Numerous arrests have already occurred, and, the bootleggers who operate from the Canadian border, making Albany a centre of their aotaviries, have been warned to stay outside the city limits.