Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-04-12
THE PLOT THlCKENS

LIVERY ardent irrcCOnCilabe and bitter
IL cnhrr among tho days will naturally
welcome the news Of now and ambitious
organization with "branchcs in all imror-
tant ctics' formed to toll. ngitatc speak,
collect money and issue propaganda for the
repeal of the prohibition law.
Any onlookcr with half an eye should be
able TO perceive that the country Is growing
rcscntful Of people who band together to be
the keepers Of its conscience and that
heavily endowed and aggressive orgnnizn-
tions with n dCtatorial habit in Washing
ton arG soon more likely to be n liability
than an asset to good causes or bad.
The number of people who are content to
await the normal development and the nor
nal reactions of public sentiment has been
growing smaller and smaller. OF late years
it has been taken for granted in many quar-
tors thnt tho country doesn't know how 70
make up its own mind. Rut it does. 1t
doesn't need organized aid at the task and,
what IS more, no state of public feeling can
be regarded permanent unless 1t has been
arrived at voluntarily and after dclibcra-
tion and experience.
Tho more able propagandsts know this.
The Anti-Saloon League has been ncQuir-
ing habits Of reserve and restraint Newer
and more enthusiastic organizations Of the
sort that is to have representation in this
city may be depended on to fall victims to
their own zeal.
Tho people ought to be permitted to OK
pertinent with law that could not have
been passed If it had not had very great
popular approval. If that law is faulty it
will not last. The people Themselves will
render the final decision without help from
any ono and they have ways of making their
influence felt
"a nf
Grcss. YOU may be sure that the average
Congressman knows what is in the minds of
his constituents and that that knowledge
guides him when the time comes for formal
vote. If the Nostead act is not wanted it
will hc repealed or revised in good time,
aud it is doubtful whether any association
of "wct' or dry" ndhercnts will be
factor in the last analysis.
Little by little as time rolls on and rs the
theories Of NOlstcadism are tested in actual
practice the people of this country will
gather their own evidence 9nd plot a cours"
Of action. But they need experience. They
are enjoying it in some places at least
Il is seldom that New Workers. know a
Sunday SO unusual as that which has just
passed Under orders of Police Commis-
sonor Enright and with the authority of the
legislature. II 900 policemen and about
1000 detectives joined forces with the fed
cral prohibition agents and made the Isle Of
Manhattan as dry upon the surface as the
legendary bone.
Those who 20 regularly to worship at
Cuncy Island were confronted in the res
taurants by policemen. who calmly tasted
their drinks and conhScatcd anything that
had suspicious flavor. Detectives in the
Sabbath throng that moves piouSIy to IN"
IIippodromc and the Winter Garden and
II / t1,I AZ l,,. NInG Gtpin
and listened to hear a clink or Il gurgle from
oycrcoat pockcts.
The scnrch and seizure clause was OK
tended informally to cafe tables and even to
hin pockets 4 lady caught drinking what
appcarcd to be cordial was arrested and
for the first time since Theodore Rooscvclt's
day ms police commissioner strong drink
could not be bought in any public place
There was great outrry. of course liut
a,l Manhattan was actually compelled 10
realize that a federal law is n federal law
and that sooner or later IL will he enforced
at all costs and all hazards. The open and
arrogant defiance Of law was brought to
stoD. What may have gone on behind
closed doors. in private houses in clubs and
below the "dry" Surfac" it is hard to tell.
Ncw York was stunned. It will he days
before il RECEIVERS its confdcnr" and its
romposurc Commissioner EnrightS cru
saUn will unQurstionably have great moral
effect Its practical value is a matter for
debate If 10000 police were required to
ron!,cI n superficial enforcement of tho law
in ,ity Of ! 4,OOO.0OO how many would he
rrIr,'rrd, to stOp the private use Of intoXi-
can'~ i'm the immunity of hotels. clubs and
private hurucS* How many would be re-
Quirod to dry UP the whole country by the
EurSht method: