Middletown transcript., 1922-10-02


have disappeared not merely from our politics but
from memories
Nevertheless, though the eighteenth amendment
is the law of the land and Is being more or less
enforced, prohibition still seems to be decidedly
live topic pretty much all over the country. Wayne
b. Wheeler, general counsel of the Anti-Saloon
League, commenting on the congressional primaries
In seventeen states, said I'm many of these
the dominant issue in the campaign beer and
wine amendment to the national prohibition act"
Magazines and newspapers taking polls of
their readers. Straw votes have been held In many
cities and several municipal chambers of commerce
have voted pro and con. Citizens of Illinois have
prepared petition with 100000 signatures for
vote on the question of light wine and beer. Hotel
men say that prohibition is gradually forcing the
hotels Of the United States back to the American
plan.
Representative Hill of Maryland the other day
wrote to Secretary Mellon of the treasury demand
ing the immediate dismissal of Prohibition Com
missioner Haynes on the ground that he "is using
and causing TO be used official mail franks of the
Treasury Department for the sending out of per-
sonal political propaganda in the interest of him
self and his associates, the nti-Saloon league"
Summary removal of Representative Volstead of
Minnesota, author of the prohibition enforcement
act from the membership and craftsmanship of the
house judiciary committee was demanded in the
house by Representative Tinkham of Massachu-
sets. Tinkham charged that vostead owed his
election to the Anti-SalOon league, which spent
money on his behalf, and that Volstead has been
subservient to the leagues influence. After consld-
erable wrangng, the house by vote of 141 TO
decided to deny Tnkham the right to speak on the
subject in the house and to eXpunge his resolution
from the record
In congress decates over the effects of prohbi.
tion are frequently staged. Senator Sterling of
South Dakota started to introduce resolution
authorizing the prohibition authorities to board any
vessel within four marine leagues of the coast.
Then he explained that the amendment wouldn't
he pressed because the secretary of state was of
the opinion that the jurisdiction of the United
States extended cnly three miles out from shore,
that the resolution might make international
trouble and that the secretary of state endeav-
oring to arrive at an amicable understanding with
Great Britain regarding the search of vessels.
In the house not long ago Representative CALI.
van of Massachusetts declared the past two years
of prohibition enforcement had been hi. In brief
he argued that nothing is being accomplished and
that the country is in worse condition than ever
before.
Representative William d. Upshaw of Georgia
replied to Gavan and undertook to show what
had been accomplished. Here are of the
points he made:
In reply TO the charge that prohibition enforce
ment is costly as well failure, l submit the
following:
Number OF indictments in federal courts for
period July /, 1921, to December 81. 1921 as shown
by incomplete reports received by legal division
. increase.
Fines for liquor violations imposed by federal
courts for period July !, 1921 to December 81,
1927. as shown by incomplete reports received by
legal division, $7S7, ,SS547 Reports from all fed.
eral districts will undoubtedly increase the amount
of fines TO approximately $1O00.000
This of course, does not include convictions and
fines under. state codes For instance In Ohio
under the state code. during the year 1921 incom.
pete reports, with many municipalities missing
show 1898 5000 liquor fines, most of which was
collected
With most states. territories. and insular pos