The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-17
.COLORAD0'S VETS
WOULD KILL LAW
By ANOTHER VOTE
Begin Circulation of Petitions to Bring
About Resubmission of Prohibit
ton Amendment.
DRYS ARE CONFIDENT
League superintendent Says. However
Organization WIN Prepare to Meet
Enemies of Dry State:

Denver. Colo, Feb, 16.-That wet in
terests Of Colorado are circulating
petition TO resubmit and change the
entire Prohibition amendment and all
laws pertaining thereto is the word
which has come to the Anti-Saloon
League. 1t is said that the petition
is being quietly circulated in Denver
and in the larger cities and towns
throughout the State.
The project, according to those who
have given the league its informa-
ton contemplates the repeal of every
anti-Iquor law now on the books,
leaving the whole matter in the
hands Of the Legislature. The petit
TONERS profess to. believe. IL Is said,
that they can control future Legisla-
lures much more easily than they IAN
the popular vote. Through the Leg
stature they would work for modi-
fled form Of county and local option.
with high license and strict regula-
ton Of all saloons.
So persistent have these reports be-
come within the past few days that
the Rev. A. ]. Finch. of the Anti-Sa-
loon League has taken occasion to
warn the Denver Ministerial Alliance
OF the spreading OF the petitions,
Gets Eastern support.
II is said around the leagues
: headquarters that one of the most
enercetiC OF the wet workers If two
years ago recently made n trip East,
He visited several cities, and has just
returned to Colorado, He ia believed
nv the anti-liquor forces to have gone
/ in the interests of resubmission and
10 have met with the enCoura cement
/ and financial backing of the larger
! brewing and distiiling associations in
Z 4
( ing Of the petitions are said to be the
result OF his journey.
81 have no doubt that my informa-
+ ton is correct" said Mr. Finch 1T
comes from authentic sources. These
/ petitions are either in actual Circu-
laton or they are about TO be sent
out. for signatures. And the news is
not so surprising as 1t would seem.
The moral effect of Colorado voting
down its prohibition laws would be
worth millions to the brewers and
disti!lers ! have felt for some time
that the United Brewers Association
would be willing to spend $500, goo
or $4,000 to win this State back 10
the liquor column
Mr.. Finch declared .hat the liquor
question had been resubmitted in the
State Of Washington and would be
voted on again at the next election
He said preparations for this move
had followed almost on the heels OF
1.-The adoption of tn Washington
amendment. which was voted on al
the same time as thai OF Colorado
And he nt,mated that the same Ia
tcroats which had res0bmitted ! the
proposition in Washington were now
working in Colorado.
TT would please the liquor inter,
% II
they could only win "a couple of State.
back 10 their cause. The effect would
he tremendous. they think. 1t woult
: be used in Congress. where there i,
riSht now a bir pending providinG
tor the Submission 10 all the state;
q prohibition amendment to the ma
tjnnal constitution. If that amend
mont is put up TO the people it. would
become a law when ratified by
thirty-six states, or three-fourths al
the whole
DryS Are Confident.
There are nineteen dry States in
The Union hut If a-few- of them can
be won back to liquor, or if it can be
lput up TO Congress ny the liquor in
terests that the question is still pend
ING in some Of those dry States then
the liquor interests believe that
Congress would bc slower to act or
the national constitutional amend
ment.'
However" concluded Mr.. Finch
"a have no fears for Colorado. I am
in receipt Of too many letters, news
paUer expressions and opinions OF
individuals to believe that Colorado
viii ever go bach to liquor Men who
were wet as sop two years ago are
today dry AS bone, They have seen
/ business pick up as a result OF nro-