Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-04-14
GL|MMER|NG HOPES
Of JULY | ARID DAY
RIFLES DRY CHIEFS
PROSPECTS OF NATION CONTlNU-
ING WET UNTIL JAN. is CAUSE
OF WRATHFUL EXPRESSIONS
FROM ANTlBooZE LEADERS.

Chicago, April 14.-The ruling of
Internal Revenue Commissioner Roper
OF Washington that the government
may not be able to enforce the prohi
bition law July / has stirred the dry8
to wrath and to action.
Il have wired our attorney at Wash
ington, Wayne b. Wheeler said +
]. Davis, head of the Anti-SaloOn
League, yesterday, to know what the
exact situation is If Mr. Roper thinks
he can't enforce the law he ought to
get out and let in some man who can
Washington dispatches stated that
Commissioner Roper had handed down
an opinion that Congress has made no
provision for enforcement, but has
left it up in the air.
Can Only Bring Suit.
Mr. Roper is of the opinion that en-
foTcement of the law is left to the
various United States attorneys, who
can merely bring suit if the law is
violated 1t also was intimated that
President Wilson may be asked 10
proclaim the army demobilized by
July /, so that the law will be void,
since it was purely war time meas
ure.
Some prohibitionists were supposed
to favor this. because they realized
that the law cannot be enforced and
did not want it made ridiculous.
Il don't believe that any prohibit
tionists would favor such a thing,
said Mr.. Davis. This is merely the
first move to terrorize the community
influence sentiment and break down
the law.
Time for Drastic Action.
1T seems to me it is time to take
drastic action and see whether we
have a government and whether we
are to be ruled by the brewers. 1t
would be farce for the United States
to become panic-strcken and declare
rehabilitation complete on July l just
Z to protect the brewers
ALSO, If there should be a defect
in the law, and not sufficient stress
is laid on who shall enforce it, there
is plenty of time for Congress to
remedy the defect and arm the gov
eminent with power TO enforce its
DEGREES
The position Of the drys was Wig
orously assailed by Ferdinand w
Peck. realty dealer
This country is too full of long
haired fanatics and short-hared
women" he declared, trying to force
their narrow notions upon great ma
hon,
Worse Than Liquor.
Prohibition VIII do many times
more evil than liquor does at present.
The abuse by a few does not justify
disuse by the many,
Prohibition will mean lot of
sneaking, clandestine making OF
liquor, perjury, and may even help
bring about revolution. 1t is not
a matter of morality, but OF fanatics
trying to force everyone else into heir
way of thinking. | should like to
quote a few lines from a letter writ
ten me by Cardinal Gibbons He
says:
- regard national prohibition as
an arraignment Of personal liberty
which in the long run can do no good
in suppressing the use of liquor
Should Go to Polls.
Il agree with the cardinal, and |
am confident the majority OF the
American people also agree and that
they should have an opportunity to eX-
press themselves at the polls.
q should look upon national pro
hibition as a national calamity
The constitutional amendment for
bidding the use OF liquor will go into
effect Jan, IS next unless something
is done to prevent The contention
now is concerned only with the period
from July to Jan. 16.