The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1916-07-20
Push Measure Planned
to Reduce Local
Option Unit
FALSELY CALL
1T "DRY" SCHEME
Prohibition A m e n d i.
ment One Supported
by Saloon Foes

LANSING, Mich. July 20.-whxt
and why 10 tho Michigan Dry cam
paign. In reply TO scores OF Ques-
lions which have been reported
from many parts Of Michigan
Major Arthur p. LOOMS, manager OF
the Michigan dry campaign. made
the follow ing statement:
THE Michigan dry campaign Is
IN educational movement by oppo-
nents Of the saloon to secure adop-
ton Of IN amendment TO the state
constitution which Will be submit
ted To all voters Of the state IN the
general election. Nov. Z. This
amendment was proposed last fall
in q convention held In Lansing.
whore the Michigan dry campaign
committee. representing IS organizs
lions. was formed.
Following that meeting. petit
tons for initiating the proposed
amendment were submitted TO vot-
ers In all parts OF the state. June
30 last these petitions were fled
with the secretary Of the state, hav-
ing $4,000 names attacked. Only A.
ee0 names were necessary for sub
mission according to the terms OF
the state Law On initiative and refer
endum. Following IL the amend
ment to be voted upon:
Article XVI, section 1.-The
manufacture. sale. keeping for
sale. giving away. barterinF or
svrnis h 1I, OF any v,n9u 81 matt s or
etsai. mechanical. chemical. scien-
tiAc or sacramental purposes shall
be after April 80. 1915. prohibit
legislature shall by law provide
regulations for the sale of such
liquors for medicinal mechani.
cal chemical scientific and
sacramsntai purposes
We urge every voter to vote
Tee on this anendmeut. II II Is
adopted by majority vote saloons
win be absolutely prohibited from
doing business In Michigan after
ARril 30. 1918. We hold that this
neasure y not connscation OF prop
erty. but II the assertion Of a nat
ural, popular right. No saloon ever
cold LIQUOR without FIRST securing
. license. This license runs for one
pear only. The people are always
and everywhere entitled to refuse to
renew an old license or to grant a
new one.
''Tnis IL not tbs first time prohfbi-
tioL has been submitted In Michi-
gan. In 1877 q prohibitory constitu-
tional amendment was adopted but
according to the returns oficially
lled, the amendment was defeated
by a majority OF 5,s4s in a total
vote of 362.ei7.
III this amendment Is not adopted
the Michigan local option law will
stand just IS II IL. with a. dry and
Is wet counties.
I'm epposing this amendment, the
liquor forces have adopted the ex.
pcdient OF confusing the tsue by In
PRODUCTION of q cecond amendment
which II falsely called by the name.
home rule. This amendment asks
that the local option unit be reduc-
ed from, the county 10 the ward, pre-
cinct or township. Manifestly such
Q measure would mean retreat for
the dry forces. ~ the Hrst amend
ment rnerns death TO the snloons.
II the small. unit measure were |
adopted II would permit return OF |
saloons 10 small parts Of many
counties now dry.
The vet petitions have been !
lied. with more than the required |
number OF names. Thousands of |
tnc1c natnes represent voters who |
are opposed GO saloons under any !
conditions The Wei forces argued !
trait 'aeir ameudmon. was a dry !
measure because II would permit |
the drys 10 Abolish saloons in town. !
ships OF precincts o. wet counties. |
This argument is msnifes,iy a mis-
ieprest NATION OF the apti-saloon
position. Ne ara working to abol- |
irn avery saloon in every county
and We hope the email uuit measure
vii be defeated
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