The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-08-28

gS tetitions are being circulated In Illinois
oeking submission to the voters at the Novem-
VI election Of the followinn question: Shall
ne existing state and federal prohibitory laws
~ modified 30 as to permit the manufacture.
sale and transportation Of beer Containing
ms than per cent by volume Of alcohoD and
light wines for home consumption
The petition is being circulated in every
congressional district in the state. 1t is
planned to secure 100000 signatures before
Aling No doubt as to the possibility OF secur-
Ing that number Of names is entertained. The
National Association Opposed to Prohibition,
which is behind the movement. acknowledges
that neither the adoption nor the rejection Of
the Proposal will have any binding effect or
Wifi contain any legal mandate. All the vote
viii amount to will be an expression OF opin-
lon on the part of the voters, and that is all
that is desired. The undertaking is part Of
ME campaign of propaganda and education that
u being conducted by the anti-prohibition
forces generally over the nation.
Il is not surprising that 100000 people can
Be found in Illinois willing to sign petition
Of this character. Doubtless that many sigma
lures to similar petitionNcould be secured in
Of the existence of more or less formidable
ntfprohibition SENTIMENT sentiment that is
In Myor Of at least a partial relaxation of the
rigds Of prihbtion laws. 1t will not be wise
to Underestimate the potentiality of that senti-
meht 1t is argued by the anti-prohibition
forces that II national referendum could be
held the existence of a majority opposed to pro-
hibition would be disclosed. Perhaps it is for
innate that such a referendum cannot be had
in order that uncertainty might be ended. The
majority rules in this country, and il the ma
jority is opposed to prohibition it should have
it, way.
y is not certain that the amendment of the
volstead act TO permit the manufacture and
sale Of beer and wine containing a specific al
coholic content of from az to per cent, which
are the limits suggested would endure the test
Of the courts. 1t should be recognized that the
nnal determination of what is and what is not
Intoxicating liquor rests with the United States
supreme court. The people who are pressing
for modification of the Vostead act are con-
tending that beer and wine with no more than
az to per cent alcoholic content are not
intoxicating. but there will be radical differ
ence of opinion on that point A good many
people believe that such liquors are highly in
toxtcating. What will the supreme court de-
edo when the question finally reaches It, as it
inevitably will if the Volstead act is modified
Il shall decide that liquors with low alcoholic
content are intoxicating, which in all likelihood
k will. all hope of breaking down prohibition
W. that method will have TO be abandoned. The
enti-prohibition forces may succeed in chang
/ ang the complexion of congress from dry to
vet. but they will not be able to influence the
supreme court that black is white. Referen
dunn like that proposed in Illinois, therefore
may be interesting. but accomplish very little
that is practical, if anything. There is only
ono way to secure the modification of prohibi
dom and that IS by the slow and laboriou.
method Of amending the constitution.