Grand Forks daily herald., 1914-12-22
NATIONAL PROHIBITION

The regulation or suppression Of the
sale of alcoholic beverages is and will
remain for many years in this country
largcly Il local matter, notwithstand-
ing any national laws that may be
l>asSed on the subject. 1t is possible,
IN an agricultural state such as North
Dakota. where there are no large cit
ies, so to enforce prohibition laws as
% bring about conditions better than
would exist under license system,
nd better than would exist under any
frrm of county or other local option.
iSut even in this state. where the con-
itions are as good as they can be
anywhere for the enforcement of such
u law, great diflicultles have been
tuund in securing even reasonably
GOOD operation OF the law. The Her.
lid believes that the prohibition law
has hcen and Is a good thing for the
state 1t believes that conditions un-
icr it are better than they would be
4 the sale of liquor were made legal.
3l, with the difficulties which have
risen here. the evidence is pretty
lear that there are many states. and
many localities in most states, in
which a prohibition law would be
farce.
II n prohibition amendment should
be submitted to the states for ratiflca-
t!on, il would be quite possible for 1t
% be ratified by the necessary num-
90 -,
tatives of only a minority Of the peo-
pie. And the entire nation would in
that case be placed in the position Of
enforcing law dealing with persona
customs and habits, against the wishes
of d majority of the people. No law
could be Il success under such con-
titions.
1t has been said sometimes that the
federal government has been so sue
ccssful in its efforts to suppress the
manufacture and sale of intoxicunts
without the payment Of the required
revenue duties that it has demonstrate
ca it's ability to take care OF the
whole situation. Such prohibition as
the national government undertakes
now, and that which it would be com.
peiied to undertake under a national
prohibition law are SO different that
tlloy are not comparable at all. The
interest OF the federal government in
Inc subject at present is solely a rev.
.rnue interest. No federal restrictions
are placed on manufacture or sa1a
M /,
the taxes arc paid the federal author
! tiles have no further interest in tho
matter. No federal protection is
granted to the liquor dealer. There
is no federal policing OF his promises.
All or this is left to the state, which
may permit or prohibit, regulate and
police, as it sees fit. The task of tho
federal government in connection
with the liquor situation is therefore
relatively easy one. And yet. it has
F., been found difficult enough, and if Is
necessary to maintain a large force of
men to see that taxes are paid az pro-
Vlded by law. Let the situation he
taken out OF the hands OF state gov
ernments entirely, and the task will
ne multiplied in difficulty many fold.
imagine the suppression or the liuuor
traffic In such a city as New York. for
instance. The problem of preventing
inoonshlning In the mountainous dis
Fr'cfs or the south would be insleni-
meant IN comparison. 1t would re-
. quire an army of deputy marshal.
. constantly on duty, and private stills
would come into operation in a thou
sand cellars. These things are appar.
emily not appreciated by those who
aoVoc1e prohibition by federal
amendment. They are SO great tina,
! 'he plan seems to be altogether i'm.
: practicable. especially at this time.
STILL THE LAND OF OPPORrr.
NIFTY.