Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-10-16
Iowa Votes Dry.

Apparently the state Of Iowa 51ss
found q permanent abiding place in
the dry. column. The vote OF the peo-
pie yesterday approved the prohibition
amendment to the constitution. This
makes it illegal either to manufacture
or sell liquors within the state.
The amendment Just approved by
the electorate was enacted by the leg
lslature two years ago. Since that date
the state has been legally IqUorless,
though wet goods have been literally
dispensed In those sections where the
people desired them. Bat within the
mast few months the restrictive lines
have been tightening and It has been
getting more difficult to procure deliF-
cries Of the forbidden article from wet
territory. IN parts Of Iowa 1t is re-
ported that beer has been selling as
high as So per quart aud red liquor
as high as $8 for a similar quantity.
Despite the prohibitiYe laws there
has been an extensive business carried
on by Rock Island wholesalers. But
they have not violated the Iowa law
They have made no direct shipments
into prohibited territory. But they
have asked no questions Of those who
came from Iowa, made large purchases
and took il upon their individual re
sponsibility TO run the gauntlet Of the
authorities on the opposite side Of the
river. On the other hand there are
those who have been taking chances on
making deliveries from this city to
certain parts Of Iowa, and they have
been thus far successful in eyading
detection. They know the penalties
prescribed for apprehension, but they
have found the prodtableness OF their
venture we'll justified the hazards that
they have faced. One Rock islander
with an automobile is said to have
cleared 81, 600 in q single week through
reselling local purchases in Iowa
towns.
Whether concurrence by the cleo
torate in the prohibition amendment
will more efectually curb the liquor
traffic in the state remains for time 10
demonstrate. The authorities have
been pretty active in running down
violators, but with the uncertainty as
70 the attitude of the people on the
amendment removed there is Likelihood
that the law viii be more rigidIy EN-
forced than it has been up to the pres
ant. There are several cities in Iowa
where it is no secret that the local of
f1ciaIs are not in sympathy with pro
hlbition. Therefore they have been in
the habit Of winkng at the blind pig.
which has been q numerous institu /
tion over the state the past few years /
It is not unlikely that the state agents
knew conditions in these localities, but
hesitated In mourning the dIspIeasuTe
Of the home authorities by showing
them up through too frequent arrests (
The local officials themselves would +
make occasional raids TO show that
xuava dafu1r Tha5r sTgrfy- sFgHDII-
ing the law. The small margin bv i
which the amendment was carried in I
dicates that the people of Iowa still !
are widely apart on the liquor issue. !
Incomplete returns show that the drys I
won the day by not more than seven !
thousand votes AS was expected the +
larger cities, with the exception of I
Des Moiues. went wet Davenport /
stood true TO her old coIors. giving the /
amendment & black eve by several /
thousand votes-tbat IS Davenport and /
Scott county did. The result in Dies I
doines was somewhat of surprise f.
TO the vets. and probably 10 the drys. /
The dry victory there is attributable I
chiefly 10 the eleventh hour addresses /
OF William Jennings Bryan
Adoption of the amendment makes /
Iowa prohibition a certainty AT least .
four years. In order 10 resubmt the +
question to a vote Of the people two
consecutive legislatures must pass an /
amendment TO change Iowa from dry
10 wet territory. There must be a +
two-thirds majority of the legislature
70 enact such an amendment Then
the latter must go to the people for
approval or rejection Impartial OBJ
servers are OF the opinion. however.
that with the passing of years the +
liquor question will be regarded with
increasing indifference by the people. I
and that 1t is possible that the last
vote the present generation wilI see
on that issue has been registered.