The Cordova daily times., 1915-07-30
RECUL LAT|0N ] r THE LIQUOR
 TRAFFIC

ny tne AsSoc1ateu fress or Legislative activity this year in the state law mak ing bodies of the country. most ot which have adjourned for the sum mer, shows that among the subjects which received notable attention was that of the prohibition or the regula ton of the liquor traffic.
 The legislatures of two states en. acted statutory prohibition to become effective this year, and eight voted to submit the question of statewide pro hibition to a referendum of the peo- pie. Of the latter, two established statutory prohibition to become effect. i've in the meantime. Four states where prohibition is already effective passed additional restrictive laws and two of the five states, where, under constitutional amendment prohibition is to go into effect next year, enacted necessary statutes for it's enforcement. In six of the so-called wet states. statewide proposals met defeat. In others questions of local option, trans portation and licensing were acted upon.
 The two states where direct pro hibition laws were passed are Florida and Alabama. Those whose legisla lures voted to submit the question to the people are Idaho, Iowa, Montana, South Carolina, South Dakota, Utah. Vermont and the territory of Alaska. In Iowa, the legislative resolution, ac- cording to the state constitution, must J be passed by the next succeeding leg islature, before the people can vote on it, but the state returned to statu- tory prohibition meanwhile, through the repeal of the so-called mulct law Idaho was also made dry" meanwhile through statutory enactment. In Utah the bill was vetoed by the governor after the legislature adjourned. In South Carolina, the vote will be taken at the election this year; in Montana South Dakota, Vermont and Alaska, in 1916 Idaho in 1917.
 It will be thus seen that as a meas ure of the progress of the cause oi prohibition the 15 states already in the ranks have this year been en- l forced by four and the legislative way cleared for four others, including Alaska. to join. Tn the latter event nearly half the country will have placed the ban on the liquor traffic.
 The new Florida law goes into effect October i and prohibits the sale of alcoholic beverages except in sealed packages of less than one-half pint each, nor can liquor be drunk on the premises where sold. This applies to restaurants, hotels and clubs as well as saloons.
 The Alabama law was passed over the veto of Governor Henderson. It became operative July 1. Tn addition, the legislature enacted an anti-ship- ping law, which forbids the shipping to an individual of more than one gal. Ion of liquor or 60 bottles of beer a month. It's validity was taken to the supreme court for test. There was also passed, over the governors veto. an act, forbidding the publication of l liquor advertisements in newspapers and periodicals, on bill boards or in saloons. This was also taken to the courts.
 | In Iowa, the repeal of the mulct law, under which communities by ma- jority petition were allowed to have saloons operated under a mulct tax, had the effect of returning the state to the statutory prohibition which I prevailed prior to the laws enacted 12 years ago. Content neither with this or the passage of the resolution for a constitutional prohibition amendment, the legislature also enacted eleven prohibition enforcement bills.
 In adopting statutory prohibition, pending the constitutional amend ment vote, Idaho enacted provision conceded to be more drastic than any ever attempted in the United States. It makes even ownership of liquor a misdemeanor, and on second offense, a felony.
 Il The Montana legislature decided to refer the question to the people. at the 1916 election, in the form of a statute, after rejecting proposed constitutional amendment vote. The law would permit the use of wine for l sacramental purposes and in lodge ceremonial work. If approved, it will become effective December Sl, 1918. In connection with the measure, the I legislature enacted early closing and 1 Sunday closing laws for the saloons.