The Washington times., 1915-08-27
Petitions Throughout State Call
Upon Governor to Demand
That Legislature Act.
"DRYs" SEE TRICK FOR OHIO
Prohibitionists Claim Movement
Is Intended to Influence
Buckeye State Election.

APter an experience OF about fourteen
months under probably the most drastic
prohibition law in the United states
a considerable number Of West virgin
,ans appear to be In rebellionn against
"a continuance. and are now asking
for an opportunity to rescind the state
wide prohibition act.
Petitions are In circulation through
out the State. calling upon Governor
Hatfield to convene the legislature In
special session for the purpose OF pro-
yidinr for a vote Of the people on the
question Of repeating the prohibition
amendment to the State constitution.
Hundreds Of signatures to this petition
have been obtained in Parkersburg
alone, $50 names having been appended
to a single copy Of the petition.
Many thousands are reported to have
gone on record within a week In the
State at large. favoring another vote
on the subject In the light OF more than
a years experience.
ed to sign the petitions have voluntarily
sought those having copies. and have
asked permission to sign them: The pc.
tition appeared simultaneously IN all
signers has surprised those who are
back Of the effort to ascertain the
sentiment Of the people now that a fair
trial Of the new law has been given.
Allied With "Drys."
There isn't chance that the governor
will call the legislature In extra session
to consider a return to the liquor license
system. for in his race for the United
States senatorship the governor has al
lied himself with the dry" element.
which has nothing to gain by another
vote, and Nigh possibly lose II a vote
should be taken.
But the signing Of the petitions indi-
Gates a revulsion Of feeling on the liquor
question. and shows that the days
Of wet and dry agitation in West
Virginia are not ended. and that pro-
hbition has not pleased all the peo-
ple.
The "dry" element is belittling. the
movement to bring about another wet
and dry election. and is claiming that
the petitions are not being signed In
good faith; Advocates Of prohioition
another vote on the question are simply
being circulated for the effect they may
have on the wet and dry election to
be held in Ohio this fall.
through the State Of Ohio that West
Virginia has tired Of prohibition and is
seriously considering It's repeal. 1t will
have a powerful effect on the States
nearest nelRnDOf Wnen the subject OF
prohibiting the sale Of liquor Is before
the people for determination.
Backed Up BY Facts.
As a result of almost fourteen months
Of absolute prohibition in West Vir-
einia. both the "wets" and the "drys"
have facts and figures with which to
support their arguments. One side
claims the new law has been the most
Aoafyh ~f -
enacted: The other side claims 1t has
been failure in every respect. having
greatly increased taxation without any
benefit to the people OF the State.
The VETS" in their petition for anoth-
er vote on the subject. assert that the
last year has shown that prohibition
does not prohibit; that the jails are full!
or oootleggers at great cost to the tax
PAYERS. and that the State has not i'm
proved either morally or financially
that taxation has increased enormously,
ruptcy.
1t has been but few weeks since tn.
caused to be published figures on the
number Of arrests in the principal
cities OF West Virginia for the first yea r
under prohibition. compared with the
m mmumoer under the last year Of the
considerable falling off in the total
number Of arrests In the year and es-
pecially In the number Of arrests for
drunkenness ''
The State lost ssoo. mo a year when the
people voted to abolish liquor licenses
end prohibit the sale of all alcoholic
State Tax Increased,
Partly as a result Of this decrease I,
revenues, the State tax has been in
creased in four years from / cent or
the 300 valuation to IA cents on tn,
sl00. In addition to this, many expense,
formerly borne by the State are nov
charged up to the counties, so tha,
county taxes have increased as we'll a,
State taxes. and all over the State tn,
taxpayers are complaining of the bur
them. As the prohibition laws have no
prevented the individual who wants lio
ours from getting them and consumin,
them. and as they have increased tara
tion greatly, 1t Is not surprising tina
there Is strong element In favor of re
turning to the old license system,
But the advocates OF prohibition "a,
that all increase In taxation is NOR
than offset by the moral benefit to tn
community generally OF the new law
They claim there is much less drinkinI
and vastly less drunkenness than unde
the license system, with a correspond
Ing decrease in crime, and that thi
more than makes up for any loss O
revenue
This movement" said Fred O, Blu.
state prohibition commissioner. IVA
born out of the State. and is bein,
largely financed by outside liquor in
terests The persons active in behal
Of the proposition to hold another elec
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