El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1920-06-08
FAR REACHING EFFECT OF THE
SUPREME COURTS DECISION

IITHE the supreme court holds that the volstead act
" does not exceed the powers Of congress under the 18th
amendment, there nothing In the decision to imply that
congress may not change its Interpretation definition Of
the term Intoxicating and increase the lawful allowance
Of alcohol content beverages
Is probable that constant pressure viii be brought to
bear on congress to amend the act.
The supreme court passed upon all the questions Of law
II also passed upon the main question Of fact Indirectly
and BY implication in section II Of the opinion wherein
the court declines to consider the limitation Of onehah PEI
alcohol unreasonable contrary to the purpose Of
the amendment Advocates Of absolute prohibition with
their ideal beverage of alcohol content viii Of
seize upon this section Of the opinion fOrty them in any
fight against attempt TO raise the alcohol limit Their
logic wiz be that since the supreme court holds that
grsss within its rights under the amendment when it
declared Intoxicating beverage Of more than one-haf
percent alcohol content the court could consistently ap
prove raising Of the limit without reversing itself
The question whether beverages containing per
alcohol Intoxicating" IN the ordinary Of the
word VIII nevertheless remain to be fought indef
nitsly.
The decision handed down Monday is immensely i'm
porant not simply for its effect the liquor traffic. but
for its bearing the broader questions Of the rights OF
states o. the nation Of popular refsrendums, and Of
congress
At time ike the present with all too common DISPOSE
ton to upset established institutions and enact strange
laws 1t has reassurng and seadyng effect TO receive
from the supreme court this succnct yet thorough deter
mHaon Of many points Of constitutional practice which
have been brought into the field Of doubt by much windy
discussion and iupulsve indsereton-
There fnality about such decision that illustrates
the finest trait in American political CHARACTER that Of
peaceabe acceptance Of lawful settlements
The states corporations and individuals who attacked
the 18th amendment and the Volstead act employed the
best legal talent procrabe These brilliant lawyers intro
duced the consideration Of the court all possible points
which decision In their favor might be based As one
Of leading attorneys for the attack expressed it. every
legal resource exhausted
Each proposition is taken up, and simply and reasonably
disposed Of While general principles applied, some
Of the points raised new and the effect Is far reach
ing The decision VIII guide American courts future
in the disposal Of numerous questions involving the powers
Of congress and the respective powers and jurisdiction Of
Sovereign states7 and nation.
Irrespective Of the effect Of the decision the liquor
traffic friends Of stable government and the rule Of law
everywhere VIII rejoice in the completeness and defnteness
Of the opinion handed down without dissent upon any
essential point IN issue.
Certainly there is possibility Of the liquor question
being brought into national partisan politics again Law
making law amending under the 18th amendment can
be made issue party lines, for what difference Of
opinion policy exists Is within al parties and not to be
classified along the usual lines of party cleavage No old
OF new party openly Advocating the extension Of special
privileges the liquor traffic could hope for large fol-
lowing
The American people wiz have to accommodate them
serves to the prohibition regime Those persons who do
not like be deprived Of liquor VIII find It necessary to
70 to other countries where they get their drinks when
and they Ike them. The American policy is fixed now,
and forever