South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-11-18
VETS ENCOURAGED
BY MEDICINALB BEER
ORDER AT CAPITAL
Anti-PTohibitionists Feel They
Have Gained FOOthOld in
National Legislation.

ment that is being pursued. The
difference Of opinion ia the admins
tratiOn which has heartened the
vets was brought about by the de-
cislon Of the secretary OF the treas
ury and the commissioner OF inter
nal revenue 90 authorize the use OF
beer and light wines for medicinal
purposes. Notwithstanding the objec-
ton made by the prohibition COM
missioner.
The anti-prohibitIonists are trying
so make 81 appear that they have
won a great victory and are even
going so far as 90 phophesy that the
present prohibition commissioner
viii resign and that lis successor
Will be a man who will wink at vio-
latiOns Of the prohibition law.
The agents OF breweries are now
boasting that they have the ear Of
the secretary Of the treasury, and
the commissioner OF internal rev
enue, and that the representative Of
the anti-slOOn league have had 20
take back seats. There Is not much
foundation for any OF this sort Of
propaganda. 10 IS true that the pro-
hibition commissioner recommended
that no order authorizing physicians
20 prescribe beer and light wines in
case Of illness be issued while the
congress has legislation relating to
such proposed use Of beverage be-
fort 81. and 10 IS also true that the
prohibition commissioner was in the
middle west when the order was is
sued, and naturally was surprised
that such an order should be put out
during his absence from Washington.
No designations likely.
But "a far as can be ascertained
there are not likely 20 be any resig-
nations from the office as a result Of
the difference of opinion that has
arisen. The commissioner of inter-
nal revenue is. OF course. superior
IN authority 10 the prohibition COM
missioner and the secretary of the
treasury IS superior in authority TO
the commissioner Of internal rev
enue
The probability is that the order
authorizing physicians % prescribe
beer and light wines will be short
lived. The so-called anti-beer legis-
lation pending before the congress
prohibits the use of beer and wines
In the way authorized by the treas
ury order and IL is as certain as any
thing can be that as soon IS the
legislators can get 10 the pending
legislation they will pass it.
The present congress which will
hold on until March {, 1928, like its
predecessor, IS a strong supporter Of
prohibition The great strength Of
prohibition in congress rests on the
fundamental fact. frequently refer
red to. that more than three-fourths
or the states were dry before the ma
tional prohibition amendment be
came effective, and whenever there
II a test vote In either branch OF
the legislative body the senator's and
representatives from the dry states
are always careful 90 vote dry. This
strength, coupled with the support
which prohibition has IN states that
had gone dry before national pro-
hibition came IN makes IL impossible
for the vets 20 get any relief from
the legislative body.
VETS Encouraged.
The beer order OF the treasury has
encouraged the vets 70 believe that
they have accomplished something
worth while, and has given them
courage to go on with the fight
against prohibition. Along with
the treasury order comes an an
nouncement Of the formation OF
THE National Association Against
the Prohibition Amendment"
This new organization, it Is an
nounced. 10 TO maintain headquarters
here in washington and is to sup
mort a news bureau which Will sup
pIv the Sountry with propaganda
against prohibition. The association
announcing its plan Of campaign
saws that II has already absorbed
the membership OF several OF the
smaller liberal societies that have
been formed IN various parts Of the
country during the last few years.
and that IL Is launching "A nation
wide campaign which we hope viii
crystalline and make potent the
wide spread and rapidly increasing
sentiment against prohibition.
To Combat Dry Forces.
The association. according TO its
first announcement. already has
membership OF $50. 600. and the pub
lie Is told thot eve expect that over
a million voters viii be enrolled oy
the end OF the year. and the neces-
sarv machinery is now being prepar-
ed 10 organize its voting strength IN
an effective machine for combating
snti-saIoon league literature and IN
huence
The literature OF this association
also announces that it is a nauoh'
wide society Of reputable citizens
who are working 90 repeal the No'-
stead law. and curb fanatiCism ana
rule by the minority, and 10 restore
liberty prosperity. and selt-respecl
IN America. The association asSel u
that brewers and d.stlllers are ue-
barred from participating IN TINS
rarlpafcn. The congress Is warned
bv this new organization mat II u
enacts the anti-oeer bin now before
II suit On test the consitutonality
az the legislation will be started. ana
-rbe case carried 90 the supreme
court IL IL becomes necessary.
FAST Uotbed OF Dissent.
As has been pointed out from time
90 time the agitation IN taNoT o4
ignoring tho prohibition amendment
% the federal constitution is larse-s
confined to Atlantic coast states. ana
the cities OF Boston. New orA'
PHILADELPHIA. Baltimore and WASH
fnrton The city Of Chicago also
continue 90 give the prohibition
commission any amount Of trouble.
O. I IN r=