The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-19
nDUVE !
TO SUPPORT DIN

Washington, March To- 4NrNef&
Hoover fAyors the Federal prohfbisie1t1
amendment and it's energetic enforcNx
ment. A somewhat detailed cxplana-
ton OF his views on the whole que4
ton OF prohibition and the Gnforce-s
ment OF laws against the liquor trAfl1as
IL likely to be made soon, 1t il be-
iieved, in view OF the widespread pub
lie interest I'm the subject and Mr.
Hoover's attitude upon 1t.
1t Is understood that Mr.. Hoover ~
by no means a recent convert to pro-
hibition. having held for a long Tins
the opinion that its moral, politicAir
and economic effects would be almost
uniformly beneficial. Obviously the
value of prohibition legislation de-
ponds so largely upon the sincerity Of
its enforcement that the position Mr.
Hoover has taken on that point will ~
reassuring to the prohibition forces.
The Federal prohibition amend
as part of the fundamental law Of
the United States, deserves the full
support of the public, and violations
of the amendment in any form should
be vigorously prosecuted--that- In ef-s
feet, 1t is said. is MIR. Hoover's arm
opinion.
He sees no defense for icsa1i1ed
liquor drinking, and considers the
| saloon and the distillery unjuStidable.
The moral hasis of prohibition 10 un-
assailabie; prohibition has now beaA
| incorporated in the constitution on
| such basis that the manufactmo,
| sale, and Importation of liquor arr
| forbidden.
| So far as known, Mr.. Hoover haA
! not developed any plan OF his own for
the enforcement of prohibition, which
on the whole seems to be very we'll
taken care of by the Federal Of
hciais in charge Of enforcement.
| The definite announcement OF M
Hoover's stand toward the prohibitions
! amendment and its enforcement viii
! undoubtedly have great DEAL OF In
fuence upon both political parties.
Although Mr.. Hoover has carefully
held himself aloof from any activtt119
that might bring him into pronfneuca
as a candidate for the presidency, hjo
name is, nevertheless, used freely By
a great many persons Of considerable
prominence. and by all shades of POI
liticai opinion, as desirable to head
either OF the major tfeketA
The influence of Wilham JENNINGS
Bryan in the Democratic ticket. will
1 OF course, be cast in behalf OF ma
tionai prohibition and It's strict 90
forcement
| Governor Edward I. Edwards ~
New Jersey, is thus far, tho only cmn-
didate who has definitely committed
himself to support OF the anti prnhf%
bition ride OF question While y -
possible that a few so-caIied -ffbeEAlsy
on the liquor question may withheld
their support from Mr. Hoover. g -
much more probably til2t other CO.,
didates win be influenced by hi 49,
titude to come out boldly Tor flA4
amendment and for carrying out
provisions OF the volste1d act
/ On the Republican sidn, the At11s
tude on prohibition Is probably Nd
more clearly determined than Axnon4
| the Democrats. where the fANt3n4
from the South il, Of COURSE. strong
4 for prohibition. while representaftv14
of Northern industrial centarA ar4
less so. The cleavage on the QuestioM
runs across party lines as do most q
the vital questions Of the day.
| It is known that there are IarE4
| groups, particularly In the RApuDA-:
/ can party. by whom the eaaforcernen4
of prohibition Ia considered an LnA
OF great importance The announcos
ment of Mr.. HooveTs viows'wm prulhs
ably lead to activity among thea0
groups in the way OF bringing eotheQ
candidates into the~open-