Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-09-29
Afternoon Session
Continued from Page Five)

people Of Maine that the anniversary
year of it's statehood also marks the
incoming of National prohibition. In
1920 the Maine law, the Neal Dow
law, becomes the law of the land. :
In happy coincidence the nine
teenth amendment follows, giving to
all women equal suffrage rights with
men. With this new and long sought
power we are splendidly equipped to
hold that which we have gained.
In loving gratitude we remember
the valient pioneers whose wisdom
and unceasing labors made these
victories possible. A shining host,
they stand out on memory's walls
today. Reverently and with es-
pecial tenderness do we call the
names of Frances E. Willard. of Lii
>lian NJ. n. Stevens, of Anna Howard
Shaw. "Courageously and patiently
they blazed the trail for the path of
prohibition and reform along which
the militant temperance hosts have
marched to victory"
In prohibition states the results Of
the victory are not as marked as in
the licensed states where they are
simply marvellous; but in our own
State jails are being converted into
libraries and the like, and we have
the word of the Federal Enforce
ment Commissioner that three jails
would care for all the business his
forces are giving them.
4 Journeying through the Middle
hWest we saw where brewerieS and
!klistilleries have been turned into
cold storage factories, canning fac
tories, packing houses. butcher shops,
bakeries and shoe stores. The Wes-
TERN, the biggest corn distillery in the
world, is now milling flour.
| To prohibition is attributed the
disappearance of the bread line in
New York City. Banks are taking
the place of saloons. The mahogany
bar is giving way to the beautiful
and expensive equipment of the
banking house. Everywhere we are
tbld of the decrease in Jail popula-
don, almshouses and corrective insti-
buttons are closing their once crowd
ell doors. One county Jail in Mas
sachusetts which has been in con-
tinuous operation for two hundred
WARS has closed it's doors.
I
tipn. The question now is
enforcement. Our task today and
tomorrow is enforcement. To help
speed up the machinery of enforce
ment is task and a duty that calls
tor our best and highest endeavor.
Not only are there those in our
midst who, by reason of appetite and
greed of gain, are seeking to nullify
the present law, but there is evident
propaganda abroad tending to be-
little the present enforcement of the
eighteenth amendment and the Vol
stead Act, and it's effect. Let every
local union send to it's local press
articles from the Union Signal and
other reliable sources that give ac-
curate information regarding APP
Piled prohibition in the United States
The following timely suggestions
from our own National officers may
well be a part of our program. ASK
minister's of all churches to preach
sermons on law enforcement Make
law enforcement the subject of
prayer at mid-week services. Ask
editors of papers to write frequent
ringing editorials. Secure articles
from leading citizens for publica-
ton in the local press. Interest mems
and women's clubs to place enforce
the law upon their programs as Il
topic for discussion. Secure the CO.
operation of public school teachers.
Ask them to make law enforcement
subject for study, for themes and
discussion. Appoint law enforce
rnent committees in every communi-
ty TO aid properly constituted au-
thorities in seeking out and punish
ing the lawless. and to ascertain and
report the qualifications of candi-
dates for office with special refer
forcing the law"
United States Prohibition Com
missioner, Hon. John,F. Kramer, an
rounces that he does not want SYM
pathy. but that he does want help"
in the shape of organizations that
will voluntarily create sentiment
against. illegal liquor traffic-"scnti-
ment builders."-~
What organization has had more
experience in, or Is better fitted to be
sentiment builder than the w. c.
T. T.? Indeed, we may well be called
past masters in this for the cause
that needs assistance
/ We shall not fail now and en-
forCement will not fail. Never in
the history of this country, when the
issue has been clearly drawn be-
tween the enforcement or non-en-
:orcemcnt of any fundamental or ba-
sic law, has the right failed to pre-
vail.
Now that the World War is ended,
the old war, against alcoholism
tworld- wide, is to be carried on with
Iincrea sed vigor. This is evidenced
by the recent assembling of the if
teenth International Congress against
alcoholism in Washington.
At the convention of the Worlds
w. c. T. U. which was privileged
to attend in London last April, near
~ fifty countries were represented
by prominent temperance leaders.
A most encouraging feature of the
convention was that from all the
countries came the report Of definite
work and advance along the lines of
Temperance and prohibition.
From Miss Anna A. Gordon, Vice.
President of the Worlds w c. r. u,
we have this cheering message, 1T
is with thrill of 10Y, that mo vote