Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1911-11-23
Conference on the Interstate
Liquor Traffic.

AAQuOA IIdAAiCs
A call has been issued for a ma
tional conference at Washington,
D. c., December 1874, to consider
the growing evils OF the interstate
liquor traffic. The call is signed
by ten governors of States, four
teen ex-governors, and many con-
gressmen, judges, ministers and
prominent business men. We
quote:
1t is a we'll. established principle
that the liquor traffic is not only a
proper subject for legislation, but
the several states under their
police powers may regulate, re-
strict, and even prohibit this traffic
within their borders.
The proposition will hardly be
questioned that, in the exercise of
these police powers over the liq-
uor traffic, the States should in no
wise be hampered in the enforce
mont of their policies by Federal
regulations.
So long as those who ARE to
ia Ike the risk of conducting an IL
legal traffic can be supplied with
liquors under the interstate COM
merce laws of the Federal Gov
eminent, the States are called up
on to meet not only grave abuses,
but practical difficulties in law en-
forcement, which otherwise would
not exist.
We cannot believe that it was
contemplated in the adoption of
the Federal Constitution that no
substantial relief could be afforded
the citizens of the sovereign States
who are compelled to suffer the
evil consequences of interstate
commercial transactions in articles
of trade which have been outlawed
from the domestic traffic of these
States.
With eight States having pro-
hibited the liquor traffic as a
Statewide policy, with practical
ly every other State having large
amounts of ''dry" TERRITORY Sc
cured under local option, so that
fully one-half of the people of the
United States are now free from
the legal saloon, we believe the
time has come to secure some
practical solution of this interstate
liquor problem.
We hereby invite governors, ex-
governors, attorney-generals, ex-
attorney-generals, members OF
Congress and of the various leg
islatures, and other officials in
national, State and municipal
governments, together with BUSH
ness men, citizens, pastors OF
churches, and others who are try
ing to reach a satisfaction solution
of this problem, to arrange theil
affairs so as to be in attendance at
this conference which is to cousid
er a question SO vital to the high
est interests OF the whole people.
As it is not contemplated tina
any permanent or new organiza.
ton shall be effected, but only al
open conference of those who be-
lieve that speedy relief should b.
afforded along the lines indicated
in this call, it is not deemed bes
to provide for any special rules 0
representation in the conference
other than those already hereir
set forth. 1t is suggested, how.
ever, that in order to secure prop
err representation, the different re-
form organizations, denomina
tional bodies and other societies
specially interested in the question
may name not to exceed five o
their officers or members to ioit
others as indicated above as dele
gates in the conference.
AS this call has been initiate
by the Anti Saloon League O
America, it ia agreed that th
making of the program and Ia
selection of the place of meetin
shall be left to the officials of tina
organization, and that when thi
call has been signed by not fewe
than fifty persons, this Leagu
is authorized to proceed with tn
arranging Of the program and tn
proper announcements relativ
thereto.-Herdld and Presbyter.
The Saloon and Murder.