New Britain herald., 1919-10-28

hlbttlOn Act and definition Of lntOXi- cants was overridden in a mighty short session of Congress by d de- cisive majority of the members of the House present. Like a skyrocket was the affair: With no evident preclic- tion of the events, the President sig nalized his displeasure with the act and touched off the fuse, Congress supplied the burst of flame, and it is d dead stick that we have with us today. The dry forces in Congress arc certainly sticking by their guns, ready for instant action.
 The veto came at practically the last moment-the President had no more time in which 10 sign or veto the bill. However, his illness had not interfered sufficiently 10 prohibit him from putting the official veto upon it at the last moment. Saloon men had
 been waiting with ill-concealcd inn patience for the action and had about | decided that the President was to let
 
 news that gave them pleasure was spread. It appeared that the country
 vaG to havo a wet period directly after the signing of the peace terms and the end of the war. probably in a month, which was to last until the Amendment to the Constitution be off I,,> year. A wet Christmas was in pros poet. Owners of large amounts of stored and bonded contra band felt that they might get rid of their stock; operators of the smaller places looked for a period of heavy sales
 But Coneress, though lacking about two hundred mem bers at the time Of the vote rallied to the defense of the hill and passed it again with a largo majority of actual votes but & very few over the necessary tWo-thirds vote required to override veto. The response or Congress to the dry in terests is an amazing thing. Too bad that legislation on moro important matters in not as readily obtained. II is promised that the Senate will act upon the bill very shortly with the same result.
 As we have said before, it is prob able that the sentiment of many of the wet advocates, outside of the actual dealers, is against this short time of liquor sales. There is no par ticular advantage to be gained by anyone, excepting those who have a great deal of money tied up in the stuff and who might dispose of it in the short spree. As a matter of fact, it , is liable to do d great deal of harm 1 The circumstances would be such were the ban lifted, that liquor would tempt many whom it had heretofore been unnecessary to, and those who were accustomed to drinking in mod eration would take to the stuff with greater avidity, knowing that soon it was to pass into oblivion. Of course, those who are raf1icliing in it will suffer; they will not be ble to realize upon their investments.
 The Presidents point that it is not the time now to consider war meas ures and to let the due process of law take it's course is, nevertheless, d judicial argume ent against which we may say little. There is certainly no particular occasion for wartime pro- hibition, a prohibition made necessary i by the eNigencies of the recent War ! On the other hand, it has been argued that the war is not yet over, and other situations have been ruled with this understanding Taking it all in l all, there is a great deal of confusion
 Even though Congress does again , pass the aCt-~and the House has 1 there is an element of uncertant in an act which provides for prohibition during war, particularly after the Peace Treaty has been acted upon and the war ended. It is question: able whether the bill, in this case is constitutional There has been no ratification by States of the action; there has been no vote Of the people concerning it. May Congress say:
 ''Thou shalt not drink"? The Pro- | hilIition Amendment is d different matter; it has met with the agree ment of sufficient States to make it { possible. The other has not
 ! ~TC AnyH rAn1~I-~