Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-11
|RICn FOOD CAUSE OF CRIME
MINCE PIE AND ICE WATER
CLAssED WITH STRONG DRINK.
Argument Of Theodore Sutro Against
Pending Bills Relating to
Prohibition.

The anti-prohibitionists had their inning
today when representatives of the Ma
tional German-American Alliance appear
ed before the House committee on judi
ciary to oppose in general the sixteen bills
introduced at this session for the sup
preston of the liquor traffic. and in par
ticular the Littledeld bill proposing fed
eral aid in the enforcement of local OPP
ton excise laws. Those who spoke against
the bills were Attorney p. A. Wildermuth
Of Philadelphia. counsel to the Pennsyl-
vania branch of the alliance; Ernest c.
vice president of the alliance, and Attor-
ney Theodore Sutro of New York. presi-
dent of the New York branch and former
commissioner of taxes.
A running exchange of thrusts between
Mr.. Sutro and Representative Littlefield,
who is a member of the judiciary commit
tee, enlivened the hearing and gave alter
nate comfort to the allies of each. Among
those in attendance were several members
of the Womans Christian Temperance
Union and half a dozen clergymen from
as many cities.
that you cannot legislate morality into
the people" and he flung into Mr.. Little
fields figurative teeth the assertion that
Maine. Mr.. Littlefleld's state, exemplified
in a great measure the soundness of the
claim that prohibition does not prohibit
'Then," said Mr. Littlefeld, do I'M
derstand your argument to be that moral
ity cannot be inculcated into the people
by legislation? Do you stand on that?
Answer me directly, please"
Il stand on that, yes" said Mr.. Sutro.
"but 1 want my meaning understood by
this committee. L"
I'm other words, he wants to fix a
loophole to crawl out Of" suggested a
voice.
moi" cried Mr.. Sutro. "he doesn't! But
do not propose to be misunderstood and
taken advantage of. What 1 stand on is
this: The only way to make temperate
men and women is to teac hthem modera-
ton as they grow up from boyhood and
tional way to keep them temperate when
they have grown up, If they are not
strong enough of themselves to be mod
crate, is to make over-indulgence-drun
kenness-a crime, q misdemeanor. And
that is the province of the state, not of
the central government.
III the law can say to a man, Thou shalt
not take sip of wine, or beer, or whisky.
or brandy, 1t can by the same authority
say to him. Thou shalt not take a mouth
full of mince pie and tumbler of ice
water Gentlemen of the committee, over
indulgence In fntoxicants Is not the only
excess conducive to crime in this coun-
try! 1 give 1t as my firm belief that as
many murders have been committed by
dyspeptics made dyspeptic by too much
mince pie and ice water as by men in
famed to violence by strong drink
When the laughter had subsidized, Mr..
Sutro, returning to the philosophy that
prohibition does not prohibit, delivered
this inquiry: IF prohibition is effective,
why, not SO long ago, were many men,
bers Of this honorable House of Repre-
sentatives in the habit Of going down.
stairs into the House restaurant and call
t. -a-H-f l.
the left eye, and being served with strong
waters? I will ask the gentleman from
Maine, Mr.. I.ittiefield. to answer"
Again when the laughter had subsidized
Mr.. Littlefield said: ASK the other men,
bers of the committee that. 1t was be-
fore my time"
The committee has not reached con-
clusion on any of the prohibition bills.