The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-10-02
What Will Prohibition Do To
WashingtOn-NO
Several Things Probably and All of Them Unpleasant.


IAN attempt begins today to aside legally the arb
rary act by which the city OF Washington, without It's
onsent and with utter disregard of its wishes and vel
are suddenly made into dry city, by act Of Con-
It is not probable that anything but the right to vote
iii enable Washington to undo this piece of foolish
ianaticism. But it is well for those that live in Wash
ngon not allowed to regulate their own lives to con-
der what effect prohibition may have upon this city The
matter will be considered in editorials of which this Is num-
Der one
voteess city like Washington governed without its
Will and sometimes against its will does not discuss legsla
lion do American communities that live under the Amer
can system of government.
Here in Washington when thing coming, there
nothing to do but ask what will it do to us? We have
little say about approaching legislation the Western
farmer has to say about the approaching cyclone We simply
wonder where it will strike.
Prohibition inflicted on this community to please well
meaning fanatic and unwise minority and to enable Con-
gress placate the Ansaoon League which it breads is
approaching Washington rapidly
would not be its way if the people of the city
allowed to govern themselves
On the question of compulsory ice water Washington
has little to say the child in the nursery has to say
about compulsory barley water
What will prohibition do to Washington? This question
important and worthy of discussion and analysis
Prohibition, first of all will create inevitably and justly
feeling of resentment among representatives of foreign
governments and other visitors from abroad
What the house of Senator or Representative is to
him and to his friends this city of Washington to the Gov
eminent of the United States and to those that visit from
other countries
Of the Congressman that voted solemny inict pro-
hbiton Washington not in ten will nct prohibition
on friends visiting at HIS house
Go to the house of any of them and he will say
What will you have what is your custom? do not pre-
sumo to dictate to YOU"
But let the stranger from abroad or some other part of
the United States come to Washington the National Capital
the seat of government and test American hospitality to
strangers.
erned here by the wishes of small American minority You
governed by organization of fanatics of them
sincere who have terrified Congress by methods that would
be called blackmal practiced by less vrtuous indi
Viduals.
By act of Congress- making Washington prohibition
city without consulting the will of the hundreds of thou
sands that live here the will of the hundred million Amer
leans that make the nation Congress has made this nation
play the part of surly in-mannered host.
To the visitor from abroad particularly offensive to
have this Nations Capital the bigoted voice of fanacism
saying pleases me that you should live here SAY
YOU SHALL.
The first answer to the question How will prohibition
affect Washington?' is this:
1t will make of the Nations Capital which ought to be
representative of broadmnded intelligence and liberation
city twisted against the will of its inhabitants to
represent narowmnded minority not always practicnp
what breaches but nsisent upon making OTHERS prac
Prohibition will inure Washington in many ways unfor
tunately.
" Will make the OapCal OF the Unlted states ridiculous
IN the eyes OF foreigners city that allows feeble minor
y of the nations population dictate to grown men as
though they were children
Congress represents the will of this entire nation Con
ess has no right long it retains the right to govern
Washington as though it city of children to inic
upon this city that which has not been expressed the will
Of all the United States.
mght be excusable the entire nation had declared for
prohibition that Congress should force prohibition upon
Washington. And the nation should declare for vege
tarianism THAT might properly be inflicted upon the
Capital
As Is this theory of life, foreign to every civilized
nation In the world foreign every nation that has made
progress since the day when Mohammed invented prohibit
tonhs infection upon Washington is an outrage against
the VOteless citizens and an injury to the city.
We invite and challenge Congress to prove its sincerity
S1r uOoshi TSXy