The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-12-07
Drys Decide to Call Election on
Statewide Prohibition, for Ref
erendum In November, 1918;
Seven Months Time
MAY DEMAND A RECOUNT
SUSPECT THREE COUNTIES
Democrats Of And-Liquor Viewpoint
Win Seek to Elect Favorable
Men in General Assembly
Next Year

at the liquor traffic in the state. At
the regular election time referendum
on the question of statewide Prohi-
bition will be submitted.
This action was decided on at a
meeting of the Ohio Dry Federation,
Anti-Saloon League and other tenn
perance workers held in Columbus on
November %. Provisions in the
measure to be submitted next year
will be exactly the same as those on
which the voters this fall cast their
ballots, except as to the time when
Prohibition, if carried, goes into ef-
feet. Under the provisions of the
amendment as voted on this year the
date of effect was February |, 1919.
Under the new measure the date is
the fourth Monday in May, 1919
Some there were who insisted that
the same date of going into effect be
retained. Others thought that there
was little more of fairness in post
poning the date six months longer,
making it November |. Still others,
and their wisdom prevailed, set the
fourth Monday in May, which is the
date for the expiration of liquor Ii
censes.
Using this date makes it possible
to avoid any complications that might
arise with respect to bringing Prohi-
bition into effect during the period
for which saloons are licensed, al
though such a provision would have
been perfectly legal.
The drys decided against demand
ing general recount of the election
of 1917. However, action may be
taken in Hamilton, Cuyahoga and
Lucas counties, where it is believed
frauds were perpetrated. A general
committee of IS msmbers and the
county committees of these three
counties are to determine what ac-
ton, if any, is to be taken with re-
spect to the three suspected political
divisions which include the cities of
Cincinnati, Cleveland and Toledo.
A resolution instructing the three
-~eunty committees to hlt contests,
ask recounts and prosecute officials
was adopted, but later was amended
so as to leave the committees unin-
structed, except that they are to
advise with the state committee on
whatever action is taken.
A development of the meeting was
an intimation of charges against
member of the Lucas county election
board and member of the Cuyahoga
county board. Committee reports re-
ferred to these officials without men,
tioning their names, as having been
in the pay of the vets and having
elected from the polls dry challengers
who had right to be at the booths
on election day.
Action was left to James A. White,
Superintendent OF the Anti-Saloon
League and manager of the Dry Fed
Grafton, and with the executive COM
mittees, with the understanding thar
n protest is to be made to the secre-
tary OF state. Mr.. White will not say
whether a demand will be made for
the removal of the officials in ques-
ton.
Report of the Lucas County Home
Rule Association shows payment for
Services rendered" to the Lucas
county official of $4,000 in several in
stallments. The drys insist that at
least it is highly indscrcet for mem
Der of an election board to accept pay
for services from any organization
whatever, except the state of Ohio.
Certain il is that no such official has
received a cent from any dry or
ganization.
The drys say they would not be
surprised to see the vets next fall
submit counter proposal such, for
instance, as limiting the sale of in
toxicants to 2 per cent beer, or even
the abolishing of saloons, with privi-
lege, on the part of the brewers, to
distribute their product to the homes.
OF course, any such ridiculous pro-
posal would be fought by the tenn
perance people.
The executive committee of the
Dry Democratic Federation also met
In Columbus. The committee branded
acceptance of wet money by an cleo
tion official as malfeasance, and
adopted a resolution asking Secretary
of State Fulton to bring the matter
officially to the attention of Attorney
General McGhee, with the request
that McGhee investigate and bring
proceedings for the removal of the
official.
The dry Democrats decided to bend
every effort to nominate and elect
dry members of their party to the
General Assembly. Frank Halen-
kamp, secretary of the organization.
was instructed to make a poll of the
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