The sun., 1918-12-22
SUN CANVASS
SHOWS U. S. DRY
BY JAN. 1, 1920
Reports From States Fore
cast Necessary Ratifica-
tion in Few Weeks.
HOPEFUL OF NEW YORK
Prohibition May Become
Permanent Before Army
DemObiliZatlOn Ends.
JERSEY CLINGS TO VETS
Between 45 and AZ States Will
Back Amendment by April
I, 1t Is Said.
HOPEFUL OF NEW YORK
JERSEY CLINGS TO VETS

TIE Sun to-day presents reports
from It's correspondents indicating
sentiment regarding the prohibition
amendment to the Federal Constitu-
tion IN those States which have not
yet acted fayorably upon It. Accord
ing to these reports there is every
probability that II will have been rati-
fed by Legislatures OF the necessary
th!rty-six States IN the next few
weeks.
This prospective action will mean
hone dry country one year from the
date Of the ratification by the thirty
sixth State, or by New Years day,
1870
william H. Anderson, New York
State superintendent of the Anti-sa-
loon League. yesterday fixed the date
for approval of the amendment by the
necessary number OF commemorative
1T February l next. He believed the
victory would be overwhelming. he
said. and that II was probable that be-
tween forty-fivc and forty-seven
states will have taken favorable ac-
Ton by April /.
~ Forecasts Prove Correct.
Should the forecasts by SrN corre-
spondents prove accurate there will
lie no lapse between the application
Of the bone dry provision Of the war
emergency legislation and the going
xNr1 80 f.A Yali hnnn
FEDERAL amendment to the national
Constitution. In other words, the rau-
flcation of the amendment by three
fourths of the States will become ef-
fectiye, as far as the consumer Is
concerned. before rehabilitation of the
army Is completed. one will overlap
the other and the death knell of the
liquor traffic will have been sounded.
The amendment would probably be
carried, 1t is asserted. even should the
Legislatures of all doubtful States vote
20 reject it. 1t has already been rati-
red by fifteen States. including five
which are classified as wet. Twenty
two other States, where the amend
ment has not yet been adopted, are
already dry. and it may be expected to
he accepted by the incoming Legisla-
lures
Five Of the remaining States which
ere not dry, so reports to THE Sun in
dicate. have elected Legislatures n
majority OF the membership of which
IS favorable to immediate ratification.
Should THE SUNS information be
correct IN respect TO the last two
named groups II would assure lineup
Of forty-two States for the amend
ment, or six more than are necessary
10 make It effective. or the remain
ing six States-Missouri. Pennsyl-
van!a. New York. Connecticut, Rhode
Island aud New Jersey-favorabIc
action may be expected in four
namely, Missouri. Pennsylvania, Rhode
Island and New York.
New jersey CIRssed as Hopeless.
New Jersey is the only State classed
A. hopeless
The five States not already dry but
in which the newly elected Legislatures
VII not hesitate TO ratify the amend
ment are California, Vermont, Mime
sofa Wisconsin and Illinois.
In Minnesota II is recalled that the
Grys won over the vets by a con-
siderable majority. but owing TO g
provision OF the State constitution Il
was necessary for the reformers tC
WIN a majority OF the total vote cas-
ln order TO change the State from thu
Wet 10 the dry column. There is M
doubt, however, according to TIL
fuNs information, about the senti
ment OF the new Legislature that viii
convene in st. Paul next month on the
question OF ratification OF the Fedora
amendment.
In Illinois the Senate is understood
\ 70 favor immediate ratification. II
the lower branch of the Legislature
seventy-seven favorable votes are re
Nuired. 1t is expected that there viii
be eighty-two in the new House.
Among the fifteen States that hav,
fready ratified FIVE are still in th'
wet column, and II is largely in thu
FotIon Of the Legislatures OF thes'
states that the countrywide sentl
pent on the prohibition question 4
fehected. These States are Kentucky
Maryland. Delaware, Massachusett
thd Louisiana.
'S!Xty per cent. OF the whiskey ii
'he bonded warehouses OF the countr!
vas stored In Kentucky when tina
Ftate ratified the amendment" MI
Anderson said. Louisiana which ais,
tathcd was known as the 'wettes
e'a'e in the South
I"e Massachusetts, Legislator
taa the handwriting on the wall an,
ratified to dispose of the questio
ehce and for all and the Republica,
Naders OF Rhode Island are certai
10 put the ratification through as
matter " party eXpediency.
In fact Republican Legislatures, tn
country over, will have TO hurry an
E'V tho Democrats are not to acliev
! lCoa'maed on ThirtccHth Page.)