The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-01-16
Up to Revenue Men.

tFhH hffAN 'h ~ hAHh W
the amendment, announced they had
found no variations in language which
would warrant attacking 1t.
Up to Revenue Men.
FL forcement Of constitutional prohi-
bition was lodged by congress with the
bureau Of internal reVenue which for
years has been IN close touch with dis
filling and brewing interests In the coll
lection of excise taxes and active in
running down ''mOonshiners." Evil
deuce collected by the bureau win be
used In prosecutions 10y thr depart
ment Of justice.
Commissioner Roper has established
an entirely separate division in the
bureau Of internal revenue for the en-
torCement ct prohibition, headed by
John +. Kramer Of Mansfield, O., as
prohibition commissioner for the United
States, He will have under him nine
federal supervisors in charge Of as
many districts, a director in each state
and a mobile force which can be shifted
from, place to place as conditions de-
mand.
Mr.. Roper has made plain, however.
that enforcement Of prohibition depends
largely on local sentiment and has APP
pealed to citizens Of the United States
to give their cooperation TO upholdlng
u. law Of the country. Federal forces,
he said, would be used TO reinforce To-
cal efforts, and where any state officer
failed in HIS duty his constituents would
be informed.
Approximately $500, 900, 900 in taxes
has been collected annually on alco-
holic beverages, which now will have
10 be obtained by the government in
some other way.
Prohibition sentiment. eliminating In
the epoeh-making amendment TO the
constitution, has been growing steadily
In this country since 1903, according ia
records compiled by the board of tenn
p~eranee Of the Methodist Episcopal
church, At that time, n demand for
moderation in the use of>ardent spirits
arose., followed 10 years later nv nj
even broader movement for abstinence
rom ardent spirits and for moderation
In the use of malt liquors. This IN
turn gave way, In 1870, to sentiment
Tor abstinence from all alcoholic bey.
erages.
Agitation for abolition OF the practice
OF licensing the sale of liquors did not
come until lS47, resulting four years
later In the enactment OF prohibition
laws in Maine. the first state to nut
prohibition into effect. Kansas was
second in 1880 and North Dakota third
In 1889. Meanwhile, the movement had
grown to such proportions that a ma
tonal Prohibition party was formed at
. convention In Chicago, Sept, /, 1869.
Women Organized.
Women. always II the forefront oil
me activity to stop the sale of alec.
noile drinks, organized for a concerted
hght after the famous women's cru.
sade, 1874. Their association was later
70 become known throughout the world
by the name of the Woman's Christian
temperance union, with a little white
ribbon, q powerful influence in the fight
Tor prohibition came into existence IN
1898 IN the formation Of the Antisaloor
league. II is noteworthy that both these
Ohio. "
The modern wave OF prohibition leg
station, began with Georgia in 1907
since that time, the movement gained
strength more rapidly than any nthel
REFORM In h history of the world, sc
mat 81 states already have prohibition
by state action, in 81 adopted by popu.
lar vote and in the others by legisla.
I'VE measures. At the time the con.
Sttutlonal amendment was submitted
"a Of the 4s states and considerably,
more than half Of the territorial United
States a prohibition. In states wher,
prohibition was not statewide. IL hat
been adopted under local option law
by many communities.
In addition TO state laws, there hav,
been In effect stringent measures
adopted by congress as aids towart
Winning the war, which gave a tremen
dous impetus TO the prohibition move
ment. studying the examples of for
elgn countries. n law was passed max
ing 1t unlawful to provide any man il
uniform with alcoholic beverages
Making OF beer and whisky was stopped
under the food control act and tn
SAFE OF drinks was terminated at mid
night, last June 80, Shipment of liduo
was prohibited by the bone-dry Law.
The constitutional amendment wa
finally adopted by congress on Dec
IL, 1917, with a restrictive clause, hith
crto unknown in legislative procedure
nat 1t would he imperative unless rati
Iled within seven years. 1t require
only 10 months. The vote in the hous
was ?Sl to l2s and in the senate 65 t
20.
Submission OF the amendment to tn
states came at a time when many leg
islatures were assembling. Misstssipl
quickly put its approval on the amend
ment and was followed IN order h
Virginia, kentucky, South Caroline
North Dakota. Maryland. Montana, Tex
as, Delaware. South Dakota, Massachu
sets, Arizona. Georgia, Louisiana, Flor
ida, Michigan, Ohio, oklahoma, Main,
tennessee, Illinois, Colorado, West Wiz
ginia, Idaho. California, Indiana, Al
kansas, North Carolina, Washington
Alabama. Kansas, Oregon. Utah. low;
New Hampshire and Nebraska. maxim
the required So states, Shree- fourths
the union, for the amendment to be
come effective. Nine more states lik,
wise gave their ratification, Is in al
as follows: Wyoming. Missouri, Min
resota, Wisconsin, Nevade, New Me,
leo Vermont. New York and Pennsy
yania.
. Acting Sceretarv Of state Frank