The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1922-09-22
LADY NANCY AST0R LEADS
ENGLISH DRY FIGHTERS
Introduces Measure in Parliament
to Regulate the English Liq-
uor Trade
BILL FIRST OF ITS KIND
Three Views Rife in England
Prohibition, Regulation and
Continuance

Lady Nancy Astor, member of
Parliament, will lead the foes of the
liquor traffic in England. She has
introduced a bill in Parliament to
regulate the liquor traffic as the first
step toward nationwide curbing of
the evil.
In an interview with the reprent-
alive of the Christian Science Monitor
Lady Astor said: 49,,
Americans must recognize that
national viewpoints on liquor legisla-
ton differ in different countries. A
method OF graphing with this evil
that has already attained success in
America might be, probably would be
impossible of acceptance here She
continued:
"In Britain there are broadly threA
schools of thought, !. e., those who
want to continue the present system
of private ownership on competitive
basis, those who advocate Prohibition
and those who favor some form of
| disinterested control though not
necessarily state ownership.
I'm the past, temperance forces have
been divided between the last two
policies, and, as result, progress has
been slow and their influence OH legs-
lation ineffective. Now we cannot
wait until temperance reforrers have
settled their disputes. In our bill, we
invite each school of thought to sub
nit its policy periodically to the
electors. | don't believe that in
cautious country like England many
areas would vote for either of the
changes, l. e., no license, or reorgan-
zation OF the trade which our bill
offers, but | imagine that each alter
native would be tried in some areas
or area. The experiment would be
watched with interest by the other
countries and if successful it would
be copied. Gradually the best solution
would spread. No one who has con-
fidence in his policy need be or is
justified in being afraid of having
competing proposal submitted.
| Should Be Able to Choose
I'VE propose that electors should
be able to vote preferentially for one
choice, and alternatively for their
second choice so as to avoid the COM
| peting schemes Of the two temper
ance wings enabling the liquor trade
to remain undisturbed. If any area
ever votes out the existing present
system, then there will be only two
choices, either Prohibition or dis
interested management. We don't
want to make it possible for private
vested interests to be re-established.p
Il see that your bill is backed by
members of Parliament Of different
parties" the interviewer remarked
Eyes, it is non-party. In the past,
temperance reform has been too much
plank in one party and too much
opposed by another party. We can
: never have progress until we have
: policy which can be forced by public
opinion upon a considerable section
OF every party"
rs temperance gaining ground in
England" she was asked.
The most significant move is the
union of all Christian Churches, the
Anglicans, Nonconformists, Salvation
: Army and Roman Catholics, for
joint temperance educational cam
paign, This is very important be-
cause the liquor trade has artfully
suggested that extreme temperance
reformers are Christian. As you
know, Pharisees have always quoted
the Biblew
Had Done Incalcuiable Good
What is your view of Prohib-
ton in American" was another ques-
ton.
What struck me most during my
recent visit was the unanimity that
whatever the physical and social re-
suits OF Prohibition, it had done in
calculable good by smashing and
eliminating from public life the drink
caucus. In England the drink trade
organization with its wealth and
ramihcations is real menace to clean
public life"