The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-21

printed on Sunday, January l9, speaks
as follows:
4 believe in local option. because
believe that the people have as much
right 70 quarantine the liquor traffic
as they have TO quarantine the small
pOx. II they believe It is an evil TO
my mind. one Of the greatest dangers
% q prohibition law Is the fact that the
difficulty OF fits enforcement would tend
70 weaken the respect for law To put
dead letter upon the statute books
would inevitably make people think
less OF Wv. That respect for law is
one OF the finest traits OF the Amerl-
can people. The respect for law Is IN
eyitable, because the people make their
own laws"
we heartily indorse these views. and
therefore we condemn any movement
which attempts TO impose upon people
Of this District views OF those who do
not live here or pay taxes here, and
who would resent any attempt on the
part Of the people OF this District to
NEEDLE IN their home affairs. We hold
that the Commissioners OF the District
OF Columbia are the proper authorities
for addressing Congress as to the needs
OF this District. The Commissioners
have an opportunity to ascertain the
wishes OF the people, and they are the
proper spokesman OF the people. II the
people dc not demand any change IN
existing law, and If the Commission
ers do not represent to Congress that
any change of law IS necessary or de-
sirable, we deny the right Of non-resi-
dents 10 impose Upon US what they think
We should have, whether we want It
or not.
Inasmuch as no one advocates the
granting Of the franchise to the people
OF this District. We do not expect or
demand that the liquor question shall
DO left 90 q vote OF the inhabitants.
The reasons for denying the suffrage 10
the people OF this District are we'll
known, and We agree that they are SUI
jority OF ths people OF this District
are opposed 10 prohibition, and would
vote against any change or the exist
ing liquor laws but We recognize the
obstacles in the way OF granting them
an opportunity TO vote.
3. The right Of local option exists in
fun vigOr IN this District. Under the
laws as they now exist. no saloon can
be established or maintained IN any
locality IN which a majority OF the prop
erty owners and residents are opposed
10 IL. The consent OF a majority Of
the property owners Is required before
q saloon license can be granted Your
honorable body Is aware OF the fact
that some communities IN this city have
refused 10 permit saloons 10 be estab-
lished IN their III DIST. The other COM
TEunities, all of them. have the right TO
take the same action. There is no de-
NAL OF the right OF local option, but on
the other hand. local option ts in full
effect. There IS no necessity, there
fore, for new Jaws on the pretext that
they viii graz local option 10 the peo-
pie here. Under the pretense Of grant
ing local option, Il may easily happen
that the people actually will be de-
prived OF local option. and be forced TO
accept what other people may choose 20
give them.
l. There should be no attempt to en-
force prohibition IN the Capital OF the
United States. Washington IS one OF
tbs worlds centers, IA which s0tourn-
sTs from al other parts OF the world
are received and welcomed. These So
iourners bring with them customs OF
their respective countries, and they
have the right to observe any Of these
customs which do not infringe upon the
rights Of others. While no prohibition
representatives Of foreign countries, we
believe Il would be impossible and I'M
wise 10 attempt 10 enforce prohibition
everywhere in Washington excepting
the embassies and legations. We firm
~ believe with Bishop SatterIee and
others that such an attempt would re-
suit in a failure, and thus tend 10
weaken the respect for law. II it is
impossible TO enforce prohibition In
American cities which ara homogeneous.
and which may have favored such a
law, how much more difficult would Il
be TO enforce il IN q cosmopolitan city
whose inhabitants were denied the
right 70 express themselves on the sub
ject?
g. A change in existing law would
tend TO disturb and injurs the business
interests OF Washington without benefit
20 any one A prohibition law would
ments 20 this city. making an unlawful
traffic and promoting crime. Instead OF
being carried on under the eye Of the
law. as Is now the case, the liquor busI-
ness would be an outlaw, and. like all
outlaws. IL woulC be a danger to So
ciety. The reasonable and moderate use
OF liquor by the mass OF the people
would be interrupted. and excuses
would be the rule, with consequent in
crease Of drunkenness and crime. This
Is no mere prediction. but is the ex-
perfence Of every large city that has
tried prohibition. The business people
OF washington do not wish TO see an in
crease OF crime here with increa sed
taxation in it's train. IN behalf OF these
interests. the Washington Mercantile
Association respectfully prays that your
honorable body will report 20 Congress
that the existing laws for the regulation
the people OF this District and should
not be changed in any particular. The
same considerations which induced your
honorable body to report adversely TO
a proposed change in the liquor laws
last year now apply with even greater
force
Respectfully submitted.
THE WASHINGTON MERcANTII. e
ASSOCIATION.
II these views meet your own. we ask
you 20 use then, talk them, circulate
them, and cal them TO the attention
OF your friends in and out OF Congress
Let Congress know that there is an
overwhelming sentiment against prohi-
bitiOn in this District In that way We
may be able 10 prevent the enactment
of a law that would deprive US of con-
troll OF our own affairs.
II you have any suggestions to make
that will aid US in this campaign, send
them to US Drop us a line assuring us
that you are in accord with us. Every
good word helps.
Yours respectfully.
THE WASHINGTON MERCANTIT, n
ASSOCIATION. National Hotel W..