Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-06-22
Letters TO the Editor
"How Lono VIII Il Lasta"

So,thc Editor Of the Evcnino Public Ledger:
Sir--Modifcatio of the volstead act
has become such common topic
throughout this country that i am
dHily reminded Of the many queries put
q me by Europeans Of different coun-
tiles visited 'ncross the pond last
simmer.
1.-THE first question the average Euro
plan asks an. American visitor about
Prohibition is. GLOW long will it
lastI" Needless to say. this piece of
frrak legislation has made this country.
whose liberal form of government was
once cnvicd by the people of all Europe,
the laughing stock of the entire world.
And as soon ms the majority of patri-
otic home loving Americans become
aware of this fact the bootleggers will
nll be looking for n new job
1.-THE end of Nolsteadism is near and
Iiwould suggest that some of the SUP
rortcrs of the act read the article on
page =. column 1 Of the EVENING PuB-
I,fC Ledger of June II. wherein United
States Senator \. y. Stanley. of Ken
tlicky, is quoted as saying in regard
to NOlstcadism 1T has inverted the
whole system upon which. for thou
sand years. the structure of Anglo
Saxon liberty has rested.'
Il / stopped in the beautiful City Of
Christiania. capital Of Norway. for n
period of two weeks last summer. They
have the light wine and beer law there.
j want to say right now | saw more
dr++nks on the streets Of Philadelphia
this afternoon than saw during the
entire two weeks spent visiting in
Norway.
"D. H." writing in the columns OF
the Peoples Forum. who claims he
used 10 have n rcd nose. and also ad-
nits that every one does not possess
snch keen. deep intellect as himself,
speaks Of the bootlcgger regions of Phil
adelpha. Probably he can point ont
to the public regions in Philadelphia
or elsewhere where bootlcggcrs do not
ply their trade.
Quite enough has been said concern
ing the widespread traffic in liquor. and
II records of sales were available figures
would show that as much, probably
more, spirits are being consumed by
the. American public now than previous
to the enactment of the present dry
law. No longer do those who Use stim-
ulants HE themselves to the Easements
or attics of their homes to indulge in
the forbidden fruit juice. Youngsters.
as we'll as old timers. may be seen in
alleys and doorways indulging in a
sMlg Of home made hooch. or from
pint of ''alki" which cost probably n
whole days pay. and the only revenue
derived by any one from tho sale is the
enormous profit realized by the maker
and vender. Uncle Sam is deprived of a
legitimate tax. the bootlegger gets fifty
cers for Il single drink. or several dol
lars for q pint. there is an unlimited
supply on the market and in the end
the public is forced to pay millions
yearly for maintenance of prohibition
forces who fail miserably TO prohibit
either the sale or manufacture OF
rum. ''IIow long will it last:'
fear this letter would never be seen
In print should | cndeavor to express
my candid opinion OF the writer's to the
Forum who claim they sec fewer drunks
nowadays. ami who say they are un-
able to see an increase in the number
Of crimes. violent deaths from alcoholic
poisoning. murders and accidents due
10 intoxicated drivers. to say nothing
of the rapid increase in drug traffic.
"HOw long will it laSt:'
rs JOE ENMERI.ING.
Philadelphia. June 10, 1922.