The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1921-02-01
ON SECOND THOUGHT
BY JAY z. HOUSE
(Fron Philadelphia Public Ledgsf.D


I-.--------------------- --------.--------.--@
So many wish to discuss prohibition
with the column in controversial terms
that we have, for this day and date
only, abrogated, in halfway measure,
the rule designed to restrict public
quarreling over the matter. The con-
cession is restricted one. We're not
arguing with the gentlemen in ques--
ton; we're telling them.
AS a newspaperman, we have many
years of close observation of and init
mate contact with the enforcement of
prohibitory liquor laws. Subsequently
we buttressed that experience with
four years of service as an administra-
tive official charged with the duty
and responsibility of enforcing such
laws. If anybody thinks we winked
or connived at lawbreaking-if any
body believes the prohibitory liquor
laws fell thus into weak and futile
hands-we refer them by permission
to the various and sundry gentlemen
and lady "bootleggers," some hum
dreds in number, who still are painting
from the ride we gave them. Unless
it is one that has been invented in the
few months last passed. we know
every trick of prohibition. We have
heard every argument pro and con a
thousand times. What is, at the mo-
ment. more to the point, we know the
psychology of it.
The psychology of prohibition is the
false reckoning in the computation of
those who make the argument for it.
The human equation is the weak link
in the chain of enforced abstinence.
A good many of those who write let
tiers to the column point out the fact
that the man who buys surreptitiously
or who brews his own is as much a
lawbreaker as the Illicit dealer. There
is no doubt about it; he is. But he
doesn't care. He is likely to consider
it an achievement and to glory in 1t.
The average honorable, decent, law
abiding citizen speedily arrives at a
state of mind in which he has no more
conjunction about violating a pro-
hibitory liquor law than he has about
wearing his rubbers on wet and
sloppy day. If he does not come &C
tually to sympathize with the illicit
dealer, he has, in any event, no word
of reproach for him. The psychology
cal effect of prohibition on the aver
age mind is the greatest obstacle in
the way of the enforcement or pro-
hibitory laws.
We have no quarrel with the prin-
ciple of prohibition. Personally-and
the opinion need bind nobody-we
have grave doubt as to whether it will
work out. In any event, the country
is in for years of turmoil, disorder ana
wild excuses. There is. it seems TO
us, no particular Al
the fact from ourselves.
Stupid stuff. isn't it? Very well,
Wen shift gears.
Some Think Only of Their Stomachs.
Sir-Eastward travel differs from
westward travel in that people remem-
Der something besides the price OF
picture postcards: Near the old mlii
built by the Norsemen in Newport, r.
rlJo rxrh0
delicious broiled bluefish in America
NAV be procured. In Boston, near
Bunker Hill Monument. one may buy
BURBERRY pie almost 2.75 per cent bet
ter than mother used to make. IN
Harvard Square, Cambridge. the Wis
itor. NAV order dropped eggs on toast
that would make even Adelaide SIT up
and remark. e. l.. M.
Harvey Watts says the old mill at
Newport wasn't built by the Morse; ne
saws the English built it. But what
we really wanted to say is that we
should love the glowing feat in cook
cry that would make Adelaide sit up
and take notice. Permit Adelaide the
benefit of one passing gil nee at the
toothsome delicacy and she Will not
only duplicate it-she1l improve on
the original manifestation. When It
comes to cookery that woman is
something more than genius; she's in
spired.
As to travel we know most of this
countrys famous shrines. scenic and
gustatory. But of all its strange
marvellous and uplifting sights, the
one that will persist longest in mem
ory greeted us. a dozen years or so
ago, in the yards of the Atchison, To-
peka G Santa F'e railway in Hutchin-
son, Kan. 1t was the figure of a
switchman industriously engaged in
shunting box cars, and wearing
derby hat.
We maintain-we have always
maintained-that one might travel
the world over-he might traverse it
from Abab to Zenith and criss-cross
it from Whatcom to Sevastobal-
without again laying eyes on a switch
man engaged in the active practice of
his profession and wearing a derby
hat.
The word from Berwick, relayed to
us by one of the towns most eminent
citizens. is that last night, following
it's Blue Sunday, it faced a perform
ance of Uncle Toms Cabin" by
StrolIing troupe.
You know our well-known auip
about the Uncle Toms Cabin" COM
pany? No? Very well. well refur-
bish it. An Uncle Toms Cabin
company gives the longest street
parade and the poorest show
1t is as you suspected. The New
York man who eloped with his wife is
an actor.
The actor ever is forced to devise
new publicity features. He no longer
is able to attract much attention by
the old device of paying $50 for dog.
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