Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-02-21
ANTT-RUM TIDAL WAVE
SWEEPING COUNTRY
Advent of Nationwide Prohibi-
tion Merely Waits State Elec-
tions, Advocate Says
90 PER CENT OF U. S. DRY"
"Boozeess" Trips From Atlantic to
Pacific and Gulf to Arctic
Now Possible

CHICAGO. Feb. 2i.-41he advent of ma
ton.wide prohibition Is merely question
of waiting now until the time Of elections
in various States in the opinion Of T. J.
Davis, superintendent Of tho Antt-Snloon
League of Chicago.
Tho real work of eliminating booze
from the nation has already been accom-
pllshcd and national prohibition, Davis said,
Is certain to come, through the State-by-
state process, or through an amendment
to the Federal constitution
The dry propaganda has met with sweep
ing success during the last fall aud winter.
Summarizing the results he explained how
II Is now possible to travel from the At.
lantlc coast to tho Pacific coast by several
different routes ihout once entering wet
territory.
II Is also possible, he said to travel from
the Mexican border TO the Arctic circle
through absolutely dry territory
THE states are all falling into line
venture the prediction that by the end of
next year there will only b. two States
south Of the Mason and Dixon line and
east of the Mississippi where "A drink may
be legally puSChascd--in Kentucky and
Louisiana.
THE Legislatures of Iowa. South pa
kota, Wyoming, Nevada Minnesota and
New Mexico have passed submission bills
during their present sessions Indiana and
Utah have enacted statutory prohibition
measures llp feueldI Government, IlltF
submitting the question to the people Of
Alaska, has added that territory 10 the long
dry list, after the people declared In favor
Of II by a big majority
NINETY PER CENT. or l.. $. DRY
According to rgures of the Illinois Anti
Saloon League ninety per cent of the area
of the United States is dry 66,0O0,000 peo-
pie live In dry territory siXty-fve per cent
of the total population Of the country cam
not buy drink and twenty-five States are
already fully dry.
\ survey of prohibition activities reveals
a slow but certain encroachment upon the
gcrrltory in BLACK" on the artis' map.
Nebraska has voted dry. effective May /.
The prohibition bill. with stringent regtIla-
tions. is now rp in the House.
Arkansas has substituted bone dry
measure for one which permitted shipments.
Kansas dry. Is considering a bill which
makes II an offense even to have booze"
I'm ones possession.
Iowa is dry by legislative enactment and
the Legislature will submit to voters the
question of making a constitutional provi-
sion.
Oklahoma, already dry probably will
vote on a bill already passed by both
branches Of the Legislature, prohibiting
shipment.
Minnesota has adopted a submission bill,
which IL carried at the 1918 election. will
Will MAKE lle SIdtc uTN July l. l'-''
NATION COMING AROUND
North Dakota. although dry since admis-
sion, has adopted further shipment regula-
tion.
Michigan has voted dry, effective May l.
1918. and Is now cnaCting necessary legis-
lation.
The South Dakota Legislature has adopted
n referendum measure to he voted on In
1918.
Wisconsin s considering a dry referen.
dun bill during the present legislative ses'
sion. It will come up February 2S
Texas Prohibitionists, lacking only one
vote in the Senate to pass a prohibition
amendment, are strong in the House and
threaten to block all other legislation by
l;eeping the amendment constantly before
the lower branch unless it is passed.
California saloons are being more strin-
gently regulated and drys are lining un
for smashing drive on booze two years
hence.
oregon is bone dry.
Both houses of the Washington LoGisla-
ture have adopted a bone dry measure which
now awaits the Governors signature
The Illinois Senate has passed a state
wide prohibition referendum bill. The vote
I'm the House will be close.
The Indiana Legislature has enacted leg
slation to close the States saloons April
/, 1913.