New-York tribune., 1919-01-19
By Stanley rost

HSHE United States becomes the
first great nation to 90 dry; a
n fight that seemed impossible ten
vesrs ago has attained to overwhelm-
nc success in an amazingly short
time; the greatest experiment OF history
IN what may be called moral detetics has
been ordered-this is the meaning of the
ratification within the last few days of
the national prohibition amendment by
the last Of the thrty-six states neces-
sary to give it validity
Many man heaved sigh when the
result was announced and exclaimed
that another war was over But he was
mistaken The liquor men are far from
ready to call quits. and the Anti-Saloon
League is looking for new worlds to con-
Quer In fact, it has already started
after them The field of battle is trans
ierred, that is all-for while we shall
probably hear far less of either the evils
Of drink or the rights of drinkers than
in the last few years. But the rest of
the world will hear more Of these things,
and we shall doubtless be called on to
dsnounee one or the other party to tre-
mendous lawsuits
They will be tremendous. The inter
ssts at stake are worthy of the biggest
light that any one can put up. But the
propaganda is over The drys have oc-
complished all that they can hope from
that and the vets, having been beaten
n it, are turning to the courts.
These are the stakes, leaving out for
the moment all moral considerations:
Invested capital Of about S3500oo.ooo on
The part of distillers and 81 900, 100000
by brewers; a stock of liquors on hand
worth $7e0000 900; business that in
the last normal year yielded to the
United States government about $3.50
100000 (under war conditions it has
aelded nearly $500. 100000 which IS
nearly half of the total raised revenue
Of the goVernment; business which, so
nearly as can be estimated, contributed
SlOOoOooo0 more to state, county and
city income which supported more than
hundred thousand workers Of all kinds,
and whose ramfcations and allied in
iesests ran into lncalculable figures
This under the amendment. is to be
wped out.
Since the whole matter hinges on that
amendment it is worth reprinting here.
'hOugh there are few readers who have
not seen it:
eection After one year from the rati-
asatlon Of THIS article the manufactures sale
'F transportation Of Intoxicating liquors
s4shia, the Importation thereof into, or the
'Aportaiion thereof from the United States
ana al territory subject 70 the Jurisdiction
'eEeof for beverage purposes is prob hibited
Sec 2-Ioe Congress and the several
sa'@s shall have concurrent power to en-
'fes 'n's article by appropriate legislation.
Sec This article shall be inopera-
ne unless II shall have been ratified as an
'meadment 70 the Constitution by the leg
A'a'ares Of tne several states az provided
The Constitution within seven years
.''n me date of the submission hereof 20
as state ~ the Congress
Following the action by the states
mere are few formalitics to 20 through
's'oEe this becomes part Of the Con
aif1ilon. The Secretaries Of State Of
ne yar'ous states must certify to the
secFetary of state Of the United States
'aas ratification has taken place, and he
aost then issue proclamation announc-
~ the ratification Even then the
sS'n'ry viii not be dry-Congrcss or The
@'3s leglsiatures or both must pass laws
PA1.ing THIS INTO effect.