The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1921-07-01
Law Becomes Effective on
Friday, July |
NEW POWERS GRANTED
TO LOCAL OFFICIALS
Beer and Wine Prohibited by the
State Law
VICTORY FOLLOWS LONG FIGHT


mcnt bill was signed by Governor
Small on Monday, June p. Ac-
cordingly the Illinois Prohibition Act,
as the enforcement measure will be
known, becomes effective as law OF
the state on Friday, July |, 1921. The
bill passed the Senate on May 10 by
a vote OF so to u, passed the House
on June by a vote OF s. to % with
several minor amendments which
were ooncurred in By the Senate on
June II.
The governors signature was the
final act in the long process of secur-
ing an adequate enforcement law Tor
Illinois Long before the primaries
'ou September l. last year the issue
was defined by the Anti-Salooa
League. The need OF an effective en-
forccmont law was pointed ont and
candidates for the Legislature were
asked to announce their stand on the
enforcement issue. The greatest
campaign ever wagcd by the Illinois
Anti Saloon League was carried on
in support of candidates favorable to
Prohibition enforcement At the pri-
marics enough drys were elected to
make possible the election OF a dry
majority to the Legislature. The
primary fight was followed by
strenuous fight preceding the gen
cral election. The result indicated
majority favorable to dry legislation.
Dry Speaker Named
In the organization OF the Legisla
turc dry speaker OF the House,
Gotthard a. Dahlbcrg OF Chicago,
was named. This was all important
victory for the Anti-Saloon League
which had made the election OF dry
speaker one OF the issues in the cam
paign. The bill prepared by the
Anti Saloon League was introduced
in the Senate by Charles L. Wood
and in the House by Homer ]. Tice.
The vets fought desperately against
the bill, using every means within
their power to prevent its passage.
On second reading of the bill,
Wednesday, June |, they came near
est success when a proposed wet
amendment was defeated by tie vote
OF 73 to q.
Cb;af of Meuy
The Illinois Prohibition Act con-
tains 40 sections. Many OF these pre-
scribe regulations, fix limitations and
provide penalties for violations.
Others add new features to the state
law designed to make it possible 10
effectively enforce Prohibition in Illi
nois. One OF the principal sections
rohibits the prescription OF beer and
light wines as medicines by physi-
clans. This part OF the law provides
that at shall be unlawful TO pre-
scribe wine, beer or any alcoholic
malt liquor" In >the same section it
is provided that physicians may pre-
scribe other liquors ouly after care
full physical examination and not
more than total OF one pint within
any period oi ten DAYS.
Local Officials Must Act
Section 26 of the Illinois Prohibi
fion Act makes local officials respon-
LII fa- .afo--a,,.,+ The &c con
trary to the general impression that
enforcement will be in the hands OF
the attorney general of the state.
The appropriation for enforcement
given to the attorney general is in
tended to be used in places where eX-
traordinary difficulties or emergen-
cites make enforcement by local Off
cia1s ineffective. The attorney gen
cral is also to be called upon to act
where local officials fail or refuse to
do their duty Section % provides
specifically that at shall be the duty
of the states attorney OF every county
diligently to prosecute any and all
persons violating any provisions of
this act in his county, and he shall
be responsible for proper enforced
ment of this act" etc. This section
also provides that it shall be the duty
of all county boards to lend every
possible assistance to the county at
torney, sheriff and other officials in
the enforcement of the law. 1t is also
specifically set forth that nothing in
the new law shall in any way relieve
state, county, municipal or other Off
GERS from the responsibility of en-
Forcing laws relating to the liquor
ttafic. Section AZ of the act further