Evening journal., 1916-11-21
DRY issue MAY
Disturb CONGRESS-
Prohibition Forces Will Press
for Decision on QUESTION
Next Year
ARE CHEERED BY
RECENT VICTORIES

WASHINGTON. Nov. a. Il cannot
be doubted that prohibition as a ma
tonal issue is about TO resume its
place no mo top of the list of do
mostc problems to which Congress
ava the American people will ad-
dres themselves during the next few
Nears
10 there had been no war in Europe
aud no grave International compiled
tons had arisen out Of that war
prohibition would have been a lead
ing issue ia the campaign which has
just closed. The ground work was
laid four years ago for a prohibition
drive first in The national conven-
tions of this year, and afterward i'm
The election Itself.
The program was 90 seek pledges
from both the major parties 10 the
lNlt'On wide prohibition amendment
Failing in this. the "drys" proposed 10
carry the fight into the individual
Congressional districts and into those
States which elected Senators The
purpose Of the plan was TO assure a
fwO-thirds dry vote in both branches
Of the Sixty fifth Congress.
But the war came and foreign ar
fairs subordinated all local or do
nestle issues. The proponents Of ma
tional prohibition concluded that the
1916 campaign was not the time to
make a stand for the nationwide
amendment TO the Constitution. In
stead they concentrated their re-
sources upon those States which en-
gagged in local prohibition campaigns
reserving the nation wide fight for
the future
In six States the LIQUOR question
was a leading issue in the campaign
now closed Tn four o. them prohibi-
iiOn won. In the other two additional
"dry" territory was won. but not
enough to be regarded as dry vic
tory Michigan voted for Statewide
prohibition by Go 600 majority. Ne
hraska by $4,000. Montana by 10000
and South Dakota by $4,000. Alaska
also went dry In Maryland and Mis-
souri, the "wets" carried the more i'm
portant units. although in each addi-
tional counties went dry"
IN the same campaign Idaho substi-
mted constitutional for statutory
prohibition. Utah and Florida elected
LEGISLATURES and Governors pledged
10 prohibition other States. already
"dry defeated movements to liberal
izo their anti-lQuor laws, some OF
them voting decisiyely to strengthen
the measures now in effect.
Twenty-Five STATES Now Dry.
including those States which have
lust acted favorably upon prohibition
measures. there are now % dry
States out of as II Is estimated that
30 per cent of the entire population
and S5 per cent of the country's area
are now under prohibition laws This
Includes the sections OF many states
which have cone dry through coun'
~ on municipal option.
There is little likelihood that any
concerted effort viii be made at the
winter session OF Congress TO secure
further anti-lquor legislation. unless
Tho prohibition forces find an oppor-
mnily TO bring up the bill barrins
liquor from the District OF Columbia,
on the amendment 10 the postofice
appropriation bill prohibiting the
carrying OF liquor advertisements In
the United States mails.
These two measures are loft-overs
from the last session OF Congress
Each requires majority vote only
whereas the nation wide amendment
requires two-thirds vote of both
branches of Congress. There Is some
Indication that the fight for the pas
sage Of these bills viii be renewed
early In the December session. The