Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-02-19
WRONG LABEL ON THE
RIGHT SCHEME

NlUH SCn LMC
TT is reported from Florida that Cover.
nor Brumbaugh may call a special ses-
sion Of the Legislature to consider the pro.
posed prohibition amendment. The spe-
ciai session would also be asked to reap
portion the State, thing already too long
delayed, but probably brought up now
merely as camouflage. The Governor, it
appears. is fearful lest the prohibition
number of States before Pennsylvania has
had an opportunity to act
There ought to be special session, but
not for the reason assigned. There is as
much chance OF the present Legislature
approving national prohibition as there Is
Of the Germans voluntarily surrendering
Belgium. 1t is not even local option
Legislature and has as much sympathy
for prohibition as a duck has for the
Sahara. Nor is 1t either right or proper
that this great Commonwealth should be
dedicated to so radical a change In the
method OF exercising sovereign police
power as is entailed in national prohibition
without the direct sanction OF the electo-
rate. We do not know that referendum
on the proposed amendment is requisite,
but it certainly is apparent that in select
ing representatives at Harrisburg the peo-
pie should have the opportunity of choos-
amendment and those equally well known
. as antagonistic to it. There is no exigcncy
requiring mad haste. Haste is, in fact, 10
be deprecated. for ratifying a constitutional
amendment is very much like dying-the
action cannot be recalled One affirmative
outweighs tons of subsequent negatives.
Action SO complete in its results ought
never to be taken until argument has been
exhausted and all the cards are on the
e table
There are things of vastly more impor.
tance than ratification of the proposed
prohibition amendment. but they appear
TO have made no impression on the execu-
tive mind at Harrisburg. In our coal
mines we have an essential war munition
on which the safety of the world is de-
pendent and the comfort of millions, in
cluding Pennsylvanisns. Considering the
abuses which resulted in the intense sur.
<,f tka al;
tor, II would seem to be the part of wisdom
for the State Government to follow the
lead Of Ohio and make some inquiries of
it, own into the situation, with particular
reference to abatement Of suffering next
winter. Interference with the Federal
Government would be out of the question,
5 but there are ways and means. We think,
Of helping our own people without impair.
ing national efficiency
1t is becoming apparent that food con.
troll, while excellent, Is a negative policy,
and people are beginning to wonder why
more attention is not paid to the stimula.
ticn of production. They, feel that plenty
for our allies and ourselves can be grown.
But encouragement of the farmer is more
or less indirect and he seems to be wholly
without that immediate financial encour.
agement which has been given manufac.
turers and other essential Industries. 1t is
within the power Of Pennsylvania to do
I little stimulation of production on it's
own account, thus rendering enormous
service to its own people and to the peo.
pie of all the other States and Allied ma
ticns. Loans OF cash under wise but
generous conditions would induce results
out OF all proportion to the investment.
without loss of a single dollar. The Com.
monwcalth, veritable nation in itself. has
40 right TO be content with a mere asso-
ctate performance Of duty. Its prestige
fequfrss that it be energetic In initiating
I helpful measures of its own and bringing
\ 3fhcm 70 communication.
BY all means let us have an extra ses
! tlsn. but let II be war session, called to
~ the resources OF the State more firmly
tfnd the war. and not a session designed
,~,sts its tims in futile argument and
lotIrp with nothing worth while done.