The New York herald., 1922-04-16
Volstead Acts Opponents
Plan Substitute to
Satisfy Public. l<
FOR WINES AND BEERS
Taxation Program to Meet
Moral Necessities of Ma
tiOnal Situation.
BY LOUIS sEIBoLD.

BY LOUIS SEIBOLD.
Special Dispatch to THE Ngw YcRK HmArD
New York Herald Bureau.
Washington. ID. c.. April is.
Party leaders and members of Con-
gress interpret the results of recent
Congressional primaries and local elec.
tions as rejecting dissatisfaction with
the prohibition policy of the Govern.
ment.
In these districts the vote was about
equally divided between urban and
rural communities. In attempting to
explain the indicated protest against
the dry law after two years Of expert
ment, prohibition leaders point to the
fact that the results in New York and
Illinois were dictated by the domi-
nance Of city voters over those of an
agricultural character.
Different Viewpoint Taken.
The "wets" naturally assert that the
apparent Endorsement of their protest
dSdilSt tHc uIy idW NdS oue " iC
versal of sentiment in the farming Sec
tions OF the three Congressional dis
tricts, or the normal majorities would
have been maintained. Both sides will
undoubtedly continue their dispute in
this respect without making the
slightest impression on each other.
Party leaders who are still studying
returns from the Congressional dis
tricts as well as the results in loca
elections in various parts of the coun.
try, concur in the opinion that there
exists widespread dissatisfaction for Q
wide range of reasons with the prohi.
bition law.
They are not convinced, however
that the time has come fer test to
determine the exact exent of the dis
satisfaction or for any change In pol
icy on the part Of either party regard
ing the matter. They concede the
probability of the injection Of the
wet" and dry" issue into many oi
the contests for the Senate and House
These will be treated as independent
ventures and left to individual candi-
dates TO fight out without interference
from the party managers one way OF
the other.
If the "wets" should increase their
representation in either or both houses
OF Congress the party will be COM
PEELED to take cognizance of the mat
ter. As long as the "drys" maintain
the advantage they have in both
houses the managers of both parties
will throw the balance of their infiu-
ence with them.
Wet and Dry Issue Expected,
There is little question that the
~wet" and dry" issue will play a
prominent part in the contests for seats
in the lower house, not only In the
north Atlantic States. but in most ol
those in the middle West and on the
Pacific coas'
Close observers of politica7 condi-
tions share the opinion that the "wets'
will gain large number of seats, the
guesses ranging from thirty to one
hundred. But they question the pre-
dictions Of the opponents OF proh.bi.
ton that the "wets" will control the
lower house.
As interpreted by them the pre-
liminsry popular gestures that seem
10 favor tho wet" end OF the argu.
ment do not indicate any desire OF
tho part of the people for the return
Of the saloons or the lcgalizing oi
whisky. Experts in sounding popular
sentiment confirm the declaration
made by dry" leaders that the saloor
has permanently disappeared from tho
life Of the country.
The belief and hope OF the opponents
OF the present prohibition roiicy OF the
Government is that the people will
elect enough members OF Congress IA.
vorine n modific alton of the volsteat
act to legalize the manufacture and
sale of wine and beer. Whether thest
hopes are realized depends on the re.
suits Of the elections. Party leaders
and Congressman who have persist.
emily urged the modification of the
volstead act concede the improbability
OF bringing about the repeal OF tho
Eighteenth Amendment for good
many years at least.
Liberalization II Goal.
Wherefore they are directing their
energies to compelling the amendment
OF the volstead act SO as to raise the
percentage OF alcoholic content to a
reasonable standard that will legalizs
potable wine and beer. This is the
program upon which many candidates
for Congress will make their bid for
popular support. Bills to accomplish
.his result are pending in both houses
OF Congress. but no serious effort has
been made to progress them because OF
the certainty of failure.
UP to the present none Of the or.
ganizations opposed to the prohibition
law has produced an alternative sub
Continued on Page Eight.