The Daily Missoulian., 1914-11-22
PROHIBITION OR REGULATION.

IHeSe discuss eco
nomc moral phase OF the liquor question: either pro
con- but is intended suggestion to the reasonable
minded people who interested in either side Of the
great question.
That these suggestions will not meet with the approval
of any extremist is certain
The fate of the middle-of-the-road Grondist of the
French Revolution is ever present in the minds Of those
whose view point does place them either the of
the ultraadcals with the utra-reactonaries any
hard fought contest.
By way of preface that which follows is only fair
say that The Mssoulian has yet been able reach
the conclusion arrived by many good people, that
wide prohibition is the best way deal with the admitted
evils of the liquor question
That the American people have made up their minds to
take radical steps for the eradication of these admitted
evils OF the present system is apparent from the
victories being by the advocates of statewide pro-
hibiticn.
We have no doubt that the basic cause for turning to-
ward statewide prohibition is the belief in the minds of the
masses that the liquor interests have opposed and will op
pose any for the limitation Of the present wide
open system.
That might have been true in the past but we believe
that the wiser heads among the who financially
interested in the matter disposed to accept al
reasonable settlement of the much mooted question
Canada has practically settled the liquor question to the
satisfaction of the great majority Of its citizenship.
The basis of settlement there the placing of the
tire sale of liquors in the hands of the propretors of ho
tells and restaurants and treating the whole matter from
the standpoint of the regulation and sale of food and drink
the saloon, we know in the United States, having
been abolished.
To guard against the establishment of fictitious hotels
designed to defeat the spirit Of the law, the Canadian act
provides that liquors shall not be sold in any establishment
that is not conducted for the prime purpose of furnishing
food and lodging for and beast.
No establishment can be rated hotel under the Can
adian law that does not provide at least 10 for the
entertainment of guests and in the smaller country towns
Ia proportonate amount Of stable is also required
with each hotel
Sunday closing is made compulsory
Another proposition has been advanced by many
vative people for the elimination of of the more glar
ing abuses of the present system.
This proposition involves confinng the sale of inox
cans to incorporated towns which have proper police pro-
tection and limiting the sale to reasonable hours during
the week days with closed shops Sunday
Another method has been proposed by good men, which
recognizing the terrible evils that flow from the unre
srcted sale and of liquors containing high percent
age OF ALCOHOL such Whskey gn rum and brandy pro-
poses to place the sale of these liquors in the
stricted class morphine and cocaine while permitting
the free sale and of light and BEER containing
small percentage OF alcohol
Before experimenting with the question Of statewide
prohibition OF the sale of all noxcants we would like to
see either one OF these methods tried out in Montana.
Eltner plan will be an Improvement the present sys
tenn OF unrestricted sale Either plan may be better than
the alternative OF entering upon statewide prohibition
tight at this time that will be both bitter and costly to the
partcp pants on both Sides
1t the coming session of the LEGISLATURE takes No action
and falls to formulate definite plan LOOKING to the
elimination OF the admitted evils daily arising under the
present loose system CONTROL should the leaders of the
quor interests successfully but bndly contend against
any reasonable action by the legislature believe moth
ing can prevent formidable movement two years hence
tor the total abolition of the entire manufacture and sale
/ OF all intoxcants.
Inc great danger to reasonable settlement of the
question IS the mdity of the newspapers frankly dis
cuss and the attempt OF most in public position to as
sumo an equvoca attitude of good lord and good devil to-
wards both sides Of the question
For the good of the whole state and all concerned had
o1 an oeter approach the whole matter in judicial spr
IT, looking to an immediate reasonable settlement of the
much-vexed question?