Omaha daily bee., 1920-01-16

cut and Rhode Island being the only
ones not to do SOY, Mr.. Anderson
said "An important thing to re-
member is the fact that, while no ref
erendum on national prohibition
was taken, for the reason that there
was no way one could be held. the
dry amendment was ratified exact
ly as all others have been. Nine
tenths of the area and almost two
thirds of the population of the
United States were dry under state
and local action before, prohibition
became part of the nations organic
law.
Soldiers Voted Dry.
1.-THE false charge is made that
prohibition was put over on the
country while American soldiers
were fighting in France. The truth
is that in December, 1914, the ques-
ton was voted on in congress and
received a majority in the lower
house, but not the necessary two
thirds required. That fact made it
a.. issue. Then, in the elections Of
1916, more than six months before
an American soldier had gone over
seas, republican and democratic
candidates committed to prohibition
were elected in many cases by these
soldiers, to congress.
Prohibition was consummated
by the moral element of American
citizenship, including the business
element, which recognized that al
cohol, even when moderately used,
lessened efficiency. The railroads
were the first to recognize this and
as early as 1890 the Reading railroad
ordered the dismissal of engineers
or fremen who frequented saloons.
The Lackawanna and other roads
adopted similar restrictions later.
Life insurance actuaries in their NOR
tality figures for moderate drink
ers clinched the argument for abb
stinence in the business and COM
mercial world"
Two Points Of Attack.
Two main points of attack upon
the 18th or prohibition amendment
still remain to be made by the anti
prohibition forces, according toll
Hugh Fox, secretary of the United
States Brewers association here.
The United States supreme court,
he says, will adjudicate them. They
are: First, whether congress has the
right to define an Intoxicating bev-
crage," and second, decision as to
the scope and meaning of the pro-
vision that congress and the sew
eral states shall have concurrent
power to pass appropriate legislation
for enforcement"
"If the supreme court" he said,
Should finally uphold the right of
congress to establish a definition OF
OF one per cent for the
purpose of enforcing national prohi-
bition, and that the states have no
power in the matter, the effect would
be to put cider and many so-called
soft drinks under the ban.
Meanwhile" said Mr.. Fox, "the
measure, which is now
known as the national prohibition act |
will, if sustained by the courts, de-
prive accused persons of trial by |
jury and make them prove their IN
nocence. No physician will be able |
to prescribe alcohol in any form
submitting to vexatious reg
ulations which win take so much
time and trouble that busy doctor
could not afford to be bothered with |
them.
Prohibit Home Brewing.
"Mr. Fox predicted that regula-
tions to carry out the provisions of |
the act would prohibit the selling |
of appliances for home brewing or
distilling, and that it is even doubt
full if the farmer will be able to turn
his own apples into cider, his own
grapes into wine or his small fruits
into cordials.
Mr.. Fox contended that the fed
eral amendment specifically prohi-
bits Intoxicating beverages" and
this was ratified by the states with
the understanding that it meant in
toxicating liquors and nothing else.
whether the amendment can now
be enlarged and extended by con-
gress under the guise of definition,
S one of the issues which will have
10 be adjudicated by the supreme
court" he said, together with the
scope and meaning of the provision
that the congress and the several
states shall have concurrent power
10 pass appropriate legislation for
The enforcement of national prohibi-
ion"
Mr.. Fox paid his respects to the
Anti-Saloon league by declaring that