The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-07-27
To the United States Senate
Is This the Time to Precpitate Prohibition Wrange in
Forty-eight States?

You have decided to raise and vote the question
of nationwide prohibition.
Why, at THIS time?
Will it make the work of the President any easier, If
you succeed in making million workers dissatisfied by
dprvng them of the beer which they accustomed
and which, right or wrong they demand?
It does make them drunkards- this is not drunken
country But admit that workers OUGHT to live purer
lives on pure ice water-s THIS the time to irritate
them?
Nationwide prohibition will please good and won
derfuy able friend Mr. Dnwiddie, of the AntiSaloon
League and it will please the ladies of the W. G. T. o. and
all parents whose idle sons have been made dunkards by
whiskey. i
But Mr. Dnwidde and those good ladies going to
build the battleshps and freight ships They not going
to handle the hot metal in rolling mills They not going
carry their backs the burden of the That load
will be carried by workmen of whom millions will be made
angry and dissatisfied if you interrupt their work. and say
1--WE Senators cheer you up by cutting of your
beer
Senators, if your house were burning down and the
remen working very hard would you stop them, say
ing
just wanted to tell you boys that when the fire out
you can't have any beer Now with your fire fighting
You would not especially if the house were uninsured
Uncle Sans house burning down. in war; and Uncle
Sans billions burning up and he needs the enthusiastic
cooperation of all his workngmen Is THIS the time to
make millions of those workers dissatisfied? Can you justify
yourselves doing that the ground that prohibition lob
byists make your lives misery?
Is there any meaning the fact that England ito keep
her workers satisfied increasing her beer output by SO
per cent and getting the barley from sent ships
that we build and pay for?
To stop the workmen beer here would it is true en-
able send barley England but is that desirable
from the American workman 8 point Of view.
How many Senators would vote to treat American work
children be coerced by insignificant minority
of the population if Senators needed for their saliva
tion-as does this nation-the earnest goodnature
operation Of workmen?
Is nationwide prohibition necessary EVEN TO THE
PROHIBITION CAUSE?
Has not every State the power NOW to prohibit aco-
hoc smulants absolutely if that the States desire? Does
not the socaed bone dry law, upheld by the Supreme
Court give every State power to do as it pleases?
Why does the Senate impose upon the nation that which
States can do separately, if they choose?
Does any Senator question the statement that prohbi-
ton represents small minority arguing that since State
Legislatures must ray constitutional prohibition amend
ment, the majority necessarily will rule?
1t is weak argument Senators will admit it.
The majority Of sound opinion does not rule the SENATE
in this matter To this writer least dozen of the most
distinguished Senators have said that prohibition forced
the Senate by determined lobby and by weorganzed
prohibition, against the Senate's judgment and will
What prohibition and Saloon League organization
does with the nations highest legislative body they will
do much thoroughly with the weaker State legislatures
No Senator needs information to the pressure brought
to bear BY A MINORITY.
No Senator needs be told that prohibition amendment
might well be forced through thrysix State legislatures
and represent the majortys will but the minority
energetic coercion which is simply welmeant POLITICAL
BLACKMAIL, as Senators know.
Fanaticism supported by official hypocrisy is powerful
But the nation should not be forced adopt pro-
hbition at any time under such pressure
And believe that upon careful consideration the Sen
aors will decide not to compel nation wide DISCUSSION
and agitation of prohibition at THIS time.
Suggestion and discussion will irrtate the workers,
i'll feeling take the countrys attention from the really
important work of the war AND EMBARRASS THE PRES
IDENT, WHOSE TASK IT IS TO KEEP ALL CLASSES
WORKING TOGETHER HARMoNIoUSLY.
The Senators well know WHY this matter is forced
upon them The prohbitionists pleased with
the Senaes wise decision eliminate whiskey the real
cause of drunkenness and the of the country
That statement may not please the AntSaloon League
but is fact that they fear lest the separation of light wine
and beer from whiskey may work TOO well
We have from the Anti Saloon League of Indiana an off
c statement that the league fears that the people