Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-01-17

1t was only a short time later that
the Missouri legislature voted dry
bringing tn, rliubcr of states rati-
flying the amendment to thirty-seven.
one more than was necessary.
The amendment to the federal con-
stitution prohibiting the manufac-
ture and sale of intoxicating bever-s
ages becomes effective one year aft
err today-the date of it's final rat
ification. Meanwhile the nation
goes dry July l next, by presidcn
tial proclamation as a far measurs &
unless the president rescinds it be-
fore that date.
Congress passed the resolution
submitting the amendment to the
various state legislatures in the
midst of the seething preparations
for war in 1917. The senate adopt
ed the resolution August l, by AZ
vote of 60 to 20, and the. lower
house on December II, by 2S2 to
1873.
I. The Legislature of Mississippi- -Ma3
the first to ratify, taking this ac-
ton on January s, 1918. Fourteen
other states took similar action dur
ing that year, the last of them be-
ing Florida. which ratified on No
vember 81.
Question Paramount
In the fall elections the wet or
dry question was paramount in most
of the remaining states, but the
vote left no doubt that the United
States was destined to be the first
great nation to veto liquor. The
ban on vodka in Russia was never
completely effective, nor did it inter-
fere materially with the consump-
ton of more expensive liquors by
those who could afford it. Russian
advices now state that the Bolshe-
visits have restored the vodka traf-
fic. s
Michigan, having by state law
made itself dry in 1918, was the
first state to ratify in 1919, the leg
islature voting on the second day OF
the new year. From that date to to-
day legislatures have acted rapidly.
Five states ratified yesterday, bring
ing the number up to thirty-five.
Other legislatures worked at fever
Nebraska and Minnesota contesting
in the lead.
Meanwhile, distillers' committed,
through Levy Mayer, chief of their
counsel, announced that in twenty
two states the constitutions require
a referendum vote Of citizens in Or
der to ratify a constitutional amend
ment. Mr.. Mayer today named these
states as follows:
Referendum States
South Dakota, Oregon, Montana,
Oklahoma, Maine, Maryland, Michi-
gan, Arkansas, Colorado, Arizona,
New Mexico. California, Ohio, Me-
braska, Washington, North Dakota,
Mississippi, Missouri, Kansas, Lou
isiana, Utah and Nevada.
In California court action already
has been taken to restrain the gov
ernor from certifying the action OF
the legislature to Washington. Ey-
cry resource of the distillers with
$1,000, 100000 available, will be en-
ployed in the supreme effort to save
their businesses, it is said. An I'M
portant meeting Of the distilIers'
committee will be held at New York
on January rs, when it is planned to
adopt detailed program.
Dry leaders assert the distillers' K
attack was foreseen and that it is
without mer4- Next Sunday com
mittee r. >.-e suburb of Evanston.
long the home and headquarters Of
the late Frances E. Willard, for
many years head of the Womens
Christian Temperance union, will go
to Rose Hill cemetery to lay "a
wreath on the snow-covered mound
under which Miss Wizards body
renoSec