The Washington times., 1917-02-21
DRY NATION CERTAIN
REFORMER ASSERTS
Merely a Question Of Waiting
Until Time of Elections,
Says Antl-SaIoon Man.

Sf1lOASOs rcD. E.-lno auNcnl VI
nationwide prohibition is merely a
question OF waiting until the time OF
elections in various States, in the
opinion of E. J. Davis, superintend-
ent of the Anti-Saloon League, Of
Chicago.
The real work of eliminating booze
from the nation has already been ac-
complished and national prohibi-
tion, Davis said, is certain to come
by State process, or by an amend
ment to the Federal Constitution.
The latter method will undoubtedly
be attempted at the first session of
the new Congress and pFohibitionists
feel certain that the amendment will
be submitted.
"The new Congress Will undoubted-
ly be prohibition by q large majority"
he said. For instance, eleven Con-
gressmen from Indiana. who are an
It's. will be succeeded, by dry advo-
Gates when Congress cohvenes.
The dry propaganda, Davis says.
has met with sweeping success during
the past fall and winter. Summarize
ing the results, he explained how
1t is now possible to travel from the
Atlantic coast to the Pacific coast by
several different routes without once
entering wet" territory.
without Catering @wet' State.
'Tt is also possible" he said. ito
travel from the Mexican border to the
Arctic circle through absolutely dry
territory.
The States are falling in line.
venture the prediction that by the
end of next year there will be only
two States south OF the Mason and
Dixon Line and east of the Mississippi
where drink may be legally purchased
i'm Kentucky and Louisiana.
The legislatures OF Iowa, South Da-
kota, Wyoming, Nevada, Minnesota
and New Mexico have passed submis-
sion bills during their present session;
Utah and Indiana have enacted tatu-
tory prohibition measures, the FEEDER
al Government after submitting the
question to the people of Alaska has
added that territory to the long dry
list, after the people declared in favor
of 1t by big majority"
According to figures Of the Illinois
Anti-Saloon League, 20 per cent OF the
area Of the United States il dry, 66y000-
900 people live in dry territory. S. per
cent Of the total population Of the coun-
try can't buy a drink, and twenty-five
States are already fully dry.
Steady Enerosehment.
A survey Of prohibition activities re-
veals a slow but certain encroachment
upon the territory in black" on the
antis' map.
Nebraska has voted dry. effective May
| /. The prohibition bill, with stringent
regulations, is now up in the House.
Arkansas has substituted a bone-dry
measure for one which permitted ship
ments.
Kansas, dry. is considering a bin
which makes 1t an offense to even have
booze" in ones possession
Iowa is dry by legislative enactment,
and the Legislature will submit to
voters the question Of making 1t a con-
stitutional provision.
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.
necessary legislation.
North Dakota, although dry since
admission, has adopted further ship
ment regulations.
Michigan has voted dry, effective
May L, lSlos anu Is hO" ChoSAAAe
necessar legislation.
The South Dakota Legislature has
adopted a referendum measure, to be
voted on in 1918.
Wisconsin Is considering a dry ref
erendum bill during the present leg
islative session. 1t will come up Feb
ruary %.
Texas prohibitionists. lacking only
one vote in the senate to pass a pro-