New-York tribune., 1920-06-08
Vets Says Further
Fight on Dry Law
Weuld Be Hopeless
No Chance to Knock Out
Legislation for Genera
tions, One Asserts; Deci-
sion May Help Edwards

rsrmsr brewers, liquor manufactur.
.,s ana other wet interests declared
v.stsfday that in view os the Su.
arens Courts decision. they were re-
.,sAsd to the hopelessness Of any
fprthsf litigation.
sHope for light wines. beer or any
.,her beverage tinctured with more
Than one-half Of per cent of al
.chol. has gone glimm ering for a
soupIe Of generations at least, one wet
s.;d "Wet agitation may be revived
,srsIn, but it will not be before our
ssadchldren's great grandchildren
Serin to vote
at sounds like truism to say that
the Supreme Courts decision is final.
but that's what it is," said William H.
Hirst, attorney for the New York State
Brewers Association. "Of course it
nuts q stop to all litigation based on
lie constitutionality of the laws.
,aThose of hopeful disposition might
ind some cheer in possibility that
seme future Congress may deem it wise
"a make more liberal definition of
what is Intoxicating. but of course
10 one seriously thinks of that now"
Legal Systems Archaic
Henry j. Kaltenbach. president of
the Wholesale Distillers' Association
Of the United States, said: "By ignor-
in1 the desire of some states to sub
mtsth issue to a referendum we are
kill living under archaic customs, which
ignore referendums.
aThe only relief from perpetual dry
ness will be through a repeal of the
amendment. This will have to come
ahout if it ever comes, through public
sentiment"
RI. Schaefer, president of the State
Brewers Association, issued this state-
ment: -..
4srhe report of the courts decision
indicates that the Volstead act is to
control in the states as we'll as in the
Federal government and that therefore
the brewers will not be able to manu-
facture beer containing more than one
half of one per cent of alcohol until
Congress changes the definition of
Intoxicating liquor Personally / am
Of the opinion that experience with the
present harsh law will produce more
liberal legislation"
Roots Associates Silent
Members of the law firm of Root.
Clark, Buckner & Rowland, who have
been interested in appeals on the con-
stitutionality of the amendment and
the Volstead act, declined to make any
statement in the absence of .Elihu
RooA who is in Europe. At the office
Of Charles E. Hughes, it was said he
would have no comment to make. Will
lam D. Guthrie, who also has appeared
in appeal cases, declined to talk.
"The greatest blow to constitutional
liberty and to the republican form of
government which this country has re-
ceivsd in its whole history" was the
way the Association Opposed to Ma
tional Prohibition described the courts
decision.
Governor Edwards of New Jersey, in
Jersey City yesterday, said: ~ will not
make any comment until ] read the de-
cision.sN He left for Sea Girt later.
saying it was unlikely that he would
seeths decision until to-day.
Likely to Boost Edwards
Walter W. Wick, manager of Gov
ernQr Edwards's campaign for the
Demoe1atic nomination for President,
said that, in his opinion, the decision
m fhe Supreme Court would tend to
help the candidacy of the New Jersey
Governor.
aHitherto." said Mr.. Wick, "a Lot Of
the swsts have looked to the Supreme
Ccust 10 support their position by de-
clarngthe Eighteenth Amendment un-
constitutional, or by spiking the valid
ity ot the Volstead enforcement act.