The Topeka state journal., 1914-02-24
Fear TO TOUCH IT
Democrats Have Buried PrOhf-
bitfOn Amendment Resolution
In the House Committee ON the
judiciary.

aeury AlIeuz na9 sent the Following
letter to his newspaper at Wichita:
Washington, Feb. 24.-Tucked away
in the dusty files in the house COM
nittee on the judiciary is a thing that
Democratic leaders talk about in whis-
pers. 1t was sent there December 8.
and those whoesent it there hoped 1t
would die therA but they knew it
would not.
They knew it wouldn't because it
vitalizes an issue that more Americans
are interested in today than any other
issue since human slavery was abol-
ished in America.
Hence they wonder when the ghost
ltss ZEN. y4aslli5l 3 Il ssaxpel h4ve csrea-
nent;,- now tAexe-are nU~amiles when
1t Is spoken of. except among its ad-
vocates. 1t is q simple thing-as truth
is always simpleLand its language has
a certain grim finality that cuts out
statesman can dodge.
Thorn to Liquor Politicians.
It says. in section /. the sale, manu-
facture for sale, importation for sale,
expectation for sale. transportation
for sale, of all beverages and all foods
containing alcohol are forever pro-
hibited in the United States and in all
territory under the jurisdiction of the
United States.
The thing is grim and terrible to
those who have organized politics
ground liquor: to those who have
Is to be reckoned with in this con-
gress and every man Of sense knows
that III 1t ever gets to a record vote
1T stands better than an even chance
of passing"
1t has unusual power resting in the
knowledge OF congressman that the
human hearts OF folk back home are
behind It and there are no legislative
intrtcacfes affording possible escape.
therefore, 1t presents certain pan
talked to Pennsylvania congress
man. who represents a district which
1s popularity supposed to contain ten
thousand whisky votes.''
Speaker Clark Won't Discuss It.
Say" said he, as he pulled me into
a corner and lowered his voice, al
though no one was watching, "if this
thing gets into congress this winter.
it will raise hell.''
Then went over to talk to Speaker
Clark about the possibility Of its get
ting before congress. It was q simple
question. Just this:
Mr. Speaker, what do you think
about the possibility Of the proposed
constitutional amendment for nation
body?"
His answer was:
I've nothing to say on that
do you think It will reach q rec-
ord vote in this session." I persisted.
Il do not wish to be interviewed on
that subject" said the speaker, and
have absolutely. nothing to say"
This does not mean that the speak
er is opposed to 1t. Indeed, it is gem
orally stated he win give nc aid to
those seeking to sidetrack it 1t sim
ply means that Speaker Clark knows
q high explosive whom he sees it and
he doesn't intend to put his hands
on 1t. .
The Culminafion Was Sudden.
Like the elimination in all great
reforms. the present victorious senti- |
ment for national prohibition seems
to have arrived suddenly.
As a matter OF fact, it il the logical |
Of years Of work and
argument, taking advantage of an |
the demand of id ealistic things Aid
Ing the tdealists OF the moment are
the sterner business influences which |
have, for reasons Of modern en- !
cheney, declared against Intoxicating
drinks. This has given It the power
Of practical things. The fight which /
was won in Kansas more than a quar- |
ter OF century ago II now ON in |
half OF the states.
In Pennsylvania I asked over Al
dozen important men what the isguea |
Of the next political fight would be. |
They did not talk tari6. trust leRis- |
lation, minimum wage scale or cur
rency. They t-lked prohibition: And
the way the old-ttme Republican ana
leaders are lutting M |
IL gratifying to the ad-
vocates Of progresA
Only Ono .sBromo Q1inine'