Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1917-10-04

LIQUOR Interests Of state Under
Heavy Handicap as- Their Forces
Are Not Harmonious and War Con,
ditions Are Adding to the Popular
ity Of Prohibition-Drys NOW Busy
Reorganizins County Federations.
Columbus, Ohio. - Persons &C.
quainted with conditions in Ohio are
prophesying wet and dry campaign
in the state this year more intense
than any fought in previous years
Unless a special session of the legis.
lature is called this winter and the
National Prohibition amendment rati.
fed, the campaign this year will be
not only for statewide Prohibition,
but also for the control Of the next
General Assembly.
The liquor interests are fighting
with their backs to the wall. They
have been losing ground SO rapidly
they realize the tide is strongly
against them and the war is adding to
their troubles. They held the state
last year by only 1887 majority, and
on top of this virtual defeat. came the
action of Congress in submitting the
National Prohibition amendment.
To not only check, but to turn back
the victorious dry forces is now the
task which confronts the brewers Of
the state.
The brewers must wage the battle
almost single-handed for the distillers
are out of the running, as Congress
last fall put the ban on the making Of
whisky for beverage purposes. Gem
orally speaking, the saloonkeepers
are not in financial condition to be Of
any great assistance.
The brewers will have to wage the
battle under heavy handicap, for the
feeling is strong that through the Ger
man-American Alliance, many brew
ers are in sympathy with Germany,
and the people Of Ohio are not inclined
to look with much favor on any pro-
German activity.
Besides, Congress prohibited the
selling or giving Of beer as we'll as
whisky to soldiers, in uniform, and
the people while heartily approving
the law, are strong in the belief that
if liquor should be kept from the SOL
diers to make them more efficient, il
should also be kept from those who do
not wear uniforms, for they must be
equally efficient in backing the boys
who do the fighting.
Then, too, Ohio voters are realizing
as never before the wastefulness OF
the liquor traffic and they know all
waste must be stopped in order to win
the war. In these war days, Ohio
needs as never before the $4,000, ,00C
spent annually in this state for liquor
and the other millions spent in taking
care. of the criminals, paupers and dis.
eased caused by drink, to say moth.
ing of the foodstuf and fuel wasted in
producing liquor.
The drys are starting the year by
lining up their forces and already 6
score or more Of counties have or.
ganized and others are getting ready
to organize. All the dry elements are
working in perfect harmony and the
outlook is for even stronger fedora
ton Of the dry forces than was hat
in last years campaign.
Ohio drys polled 522,590 votes fol
Prohibition last year as against 4S4,
900 votes in 1915. The wet vote las
year was 523,727 as against 54O,377 il
1915. The object Of the dry drive thi'
year is to adopt statewide Prohibition
and also elect a legislature which will
ratify the National Prohibition amend
ment.
The drys realize they have a hare
fight and do not intend to overlook
anything. The vets realize if the!
lose Ohio this year, all is lost, ant
while their camp is divided, they will
make a mighty effort to pull thei
forces together. One Of their fear'
is that both political parties will lint
up against them.
Seasoned observers are Of th'
opinion that the year opens with th'
advantage decidedly with the drys.