Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-08-25
ONE FORM OF 1NTOX1CANTs.

Following the resignation of William Allen
White. of Kansas, as a member of the editorial force
of Judge" the popular New York illustrated week
1y, because of the advocacy by that magazine of the
legalizing of light wines and beer, Judge is asking
for an expression of opinion by the general public
on the policy which it advocates.
The Herald is unable to see how those who ad-
vocate the legalizing of wine and beer expect to
make any progress The submission of a new
amendment to the federal constitution Withdrawing
wine and beer from the prohibited list, or comforting
on congress greater discretionary powers than con-
gress now possesses does not seem to be immediate
ly in progress, nor is that step advocated by any
considerable number of people. 1t would be next
to impossible to induce congress to submit such a
measure, and there is very slight prospect that the
state legislatures would ratify it even if it were sub
mitted-
The entire movement for restricting the force
Of prohibition is directed toward securing a modif-
cation of the Volstead law which provides the ma
chinery whereby the constitutional provision is to
be enforced, and broadening its powers of interpre-
tation. The courts support the view that it is the
function of congress to define Intoxicating beverag-
es. The constitution prohibits all Intoxicating bev-
erages, and it is left for congress to declare what
they are. If congress declares to be non-intoxicat-
ing a liquor which everybody knows to be intoxi-
eating, its act may be legal, but the legislative body
makes itself ridiculous, and notwithstanding state
ments which are sometimes made as to the propensi-
ty which. congress has for doing just that thing, no
body makes himself ridiculous deliberately.
By light wine we are to understand, it is as
stunned, wine rendered alcoholic by natural fermen-
~tation. Such wine may contain as high as Is or II
per cent of alcohol. 1t would be absurd to say that
516 per cent wine is not Intoxicating. There are
people who say that beer containing from 4 to 6 per
cent of alcohol is not Intoxicating. There may be
people who cannot swallow enough Of such liquor
to become drunk. But for the average person 4 per
cent beer is Intoxicating, and every person who has
seen much drinking done has seen people become
as drunk as it is possible to be by drinking that sort
Sof beer and nothing else,
Congress cannot 1ega1ize wine and beer with
out violating the spirit and the letter of the .consti-
tuition. @s
As 10 the practical effect of legalizing wine and
beer, provided this could be done, it may be pointed
out that without the adoption Of some e~xpedient not
now in sight the sale OF wine and beer would be used
Bas 4 cloak for the use Of whiskey and the other
strong drinks.
Avery large number Of people, doubtless a
large majority, can use wine and beer without in
Jury rs themselves, and would do 50 if these drinks
were readily available. But legislation We believe
To- be impossible, and il It were accomplished we-be-
SIieve that II would merely bring back the saloon,
with III the disreputab1e things that were associated
with the saloon in the past.