The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1920-01-16


be acclaimed with joy and thanks
giving for it marks the end OF the
legalized liquor traffic in the United
States. But amidst the rejoicing the
foes OF the beverage alcohol traffic
must not lose sight of the fact that
their task is yet unfinished
Whether the national dry policy
Is to be permanent or not depends
upon the vigilance and diligence OF
the dry forces for the next few years.
There is a disposition on the part OF
some to quit the fight at this stage on
the theory that the responsibility for
law enforcement rests not with the.
people but with the governments
officers.
There have come to the Issue desk
letters from friends who have been
in this struggle for years but who
now frankly state that it is none OF
our business, this matter of law en-
forcement, that the Anti-Saloon
League ought to disband as had all
other temperance organizations, that
it is the governments business to see
that the law is enforced.
This view is not in accord with he
view OF the men at the head of the
governments law enforcement agency.
Roper Asks Peoples Help
Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Roper has made it plain that he has
a right to expect and that he does
expect cooperation on the part Ct
good citizens in the departments ef-
forts to stamp out the illicit traffic in
beverage liquors. He sees the neces-
sity for group effort on the part of
the citizens to make law enforcement
a success.
Prohibition Commissioner Kramer
holds the same view
Attorney General Palmer, at the
head OF the Department of Justice,
which department will have in charge
the prosecution OF offenders, agrees
Educational Campaign
1t is true, the government has ap-
propriated certain sum of money
for meeting the necessary expense OF
running down the criminals and pros
ecuting those who attempt to evads
the provisions of the Eighteenth
Amendment But after all, there still
remains the work OF agitation and ed
ucation which are important features
OF the law enforcement campaign.
When this nation enters upon the
dry regime January 10, it will experi-
enee no severe shock. 1t has beea
under aadry policy, the law has not
been rigidly enforced in some sections
as it undoubtedly will be under the
provisions of the Eighteenth Amend
ment, but nevertheless the manufac-
ture and sale OF strong alcoholic bev-
erages have been taboo. The expert
ences of these dry months will be of
value in making constitutional Pro-
hibition success.
1t has developed that the chief Of
tenders against the dry law are the
ignorant, the illiterate and the for
eign-speaking peoples. 1t will be
necessary to reach these people in
Americanization campaigns, to in
struct them in the meaning of trIe
American liberty and to teach them
the fundamental principles OF our
democratic form of government
They must be warned also of the
physiological effect of alcoholic bev-
erages.
The majority of deaths from the use
of eontraband liquor occur among the
people who can not speak or read the
English language. The foreign
speaking people must be reached in
their own tongue.
This is large-sized contract for
the temperance forces, but in addition
TO this, in accord with the expressed
desire of Commissioner Roper, a
strict everyday observance of law
must be urged for all of us. This is
work the government agents can not
do The permanency of Prohibition
in the United States depends upon
how we'll the law is enforced. Lax
enforcement will breed contempt.
Must Thwart Repeal Efforts
In addition to this, there are we'll
defined plans being put into execu-
ton by the liquor forces to elect
Congress TO submit a repeal resolu
ton.
There is only one way to thwart
the liquor forces and that is by meet
ing them at the polls. In addition TO
this, attempts will be made in prac-
tically every state to enact enforce
ment laws that will let down the bar
riers to blind piggers.
In some states an effort will be
made to elect Legislature pledged to
enact enforcement measures out OF