New-York tribune., 1919-04-18
Representative Haskell to
Introduce Resolution for
Amendment to Repeal the
National Prohibition Act
Ridiculed by Anderson
Anti-Saloon League Head
Says Nobody but Lunatic
Attacks the Constitution

Representative Reuben J.. Haskell,
Republican, of Brooklyn, announced
Yesterday that he would try in the
next Congress to bring about the re-
peal Of the Prohibition amendment to
the Constitution.
1T is my judgment" said Mr.. Has
kell, that even q majority of the peo-
pie, should they favor prohibition,
which is not the case, have not the
right to force this sumptuary legis-
lation upon the minority. In the next
Congress l shall offer a resolution for
the submission Of an amendment to re-
peal the Prohibition amendment to the
Constitution.
Under the proposed Legislative acts
to define Intoxicating beverages, there
is still chance to rectify in part, by
removal of the embargo on beers and
vines, the mistake which has been
made, and, at any rate, action should
be taken to repeal the Prohibition
amendment"
Representative Haskell ought to
understand by this time that majori-
ties generally rule" said the Rev. w.
". 7. Duncan, pastor OF James Meth
odist Church, in Representative Has
kell's district, and director of the
Anti-Saloon League.
Anderson Ridicules Haskell
"The Congressman's position is ab-
surd. According to his reasoning, an
act should not be binding unless it has
the unanimous support of the voters
The voters of this district will know
,i.c fx- AZ cl-oll ,C
he is up for reelection in 1920.
"Nobody but lunatic claims that
the Constitution is UNCONSTITUTIONAL" ;"
SAID William II. Anderson. state super
intendent of the Anti-Saloon League
when informed about Representative
Haskelps stand "Haskell and the
'wets like him are like the lrishman s
snake that was dead with its head
mashed, but its tail didn't know it. The
truth is that not only has whisky been
thrown overheard without benefit of
leg TO stand on. They haven't won an
important case in the United States
Supreme Court in two generations.
'President Wilson has never shown
any disposition TO aid and abet any
attempt to make him the goat and
that is the only way to describe the
efforts of the brewers to get him to
proclaim a lie to the country TO the
effect that demobilization has been
completed when there are still mil
lion men under arms
Little Warts of States"
with the entire Union ratifying,
except three little warts OF States
which have not to exceed per cent
of the population, with every Demo
cratic State having ratified, the insin-
uation as to the Presidents intelli-
gence involved in the suggestion from
The vets tina, he Will intervene is not
Aattering. TO say the least
Gwen if the brcwcrs should get n
decision of the court to the effect thnt
. ID per cont Of alcohol docs not make
heer intoxicating. Congress has power
to decide that onc-half of per cent is
intoxicating. Even if the New York
Legislature adjourns without passing
am enforcement law, or even If the
party IN control of tho Legislature
should attempt to commit political sui
eide by passing per cent bin. it
would still he unlawful to sell liquor
sn New York or anywhere else after
the first OF July. and it viii be the
oAty Of state officials to apprehenG
state offenders and turn them over, or
noid them for the Federal authorities.