Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-11-18
BARLEYCORNERs MOBILIZE

WHATEVER mention of prohibition
w President Harding made in his much.
discussed letter to Mrs. Corinne Roosevelt
Robinson was clearly an expression Of pri-
vate rather than OF political opinion. Mrs.
Robinson Is not a public funct ionary. MIR.
Hnrding's personal view Of the ''dry" laws
can have little 70 do with the present cnse.
The President didn't make the law. II he
has changed his mind nhout some Of its
details he cannot be said to have done more
than any one else must do who Is not beyond
the educati influence Of experience and
observation.
The hubbub that has risen IN Washington
since 1t was brcathed about that Mr.. Hard.
ing believes in the liberalization Of the
No!stcad net Is significant for reasons not
obvious on the face Of the situation. 1t
reveals a trend Of thought among leaders of
both parties that may lead to unprecedented
political confusion in the near future. For
1t ~ now rs clear daylight that the
Ronus Bill Is 10 be- revived 10 give vitality
and n respectable front TO nm anti "wct'
drive In Congress and throughout the various
States.
Thus we are told that the Soldier Bonus
Bill could b. made workable by "henvy
taxes" to be levied on light wines and beer.
Former Governor Stokes. OF New Jersey
snddencd by the victory Of Mr.. Edwards and
Judge Silzer, has written 10 the President
to suggest that wctter dry" laws might
well be the basis Of n revised Republican
policy. In dispatches which have the look
OF being inspired It is cautiously h.ntcd that
the objections which caused Mr.. Harding to
veto the Bonus Bill would vanish auto.
matically II there was promise of heavy
pxtra revenues such as might accrue from
Il beer and wine tax.
beating for forward march To hntt" in the
new Congress. And it would he as well 10
understand ct the beginning inst what the
vets are aiming AZ and just where a
''wc," victory would leave Us. even though
the prospects Of such victory are dim.
Let us suppose that $4,000. 900 900 would
b" required to meet the provisions of
Soldier Bonus Bill during the forty years
10 come and that light wines and beer were
TO he restored under ~ per cent tax.
In forty years We should have to drink
$40. O00. 900 600 worth Of various alcoholic
hrews and Installations. That is not the
gloomicst part "f the picture Of til" futur"
that has been taking form in III" minds of
the anti -Vo!stcad"1s. The saoon-which
Is IN itself far worse than wine or beer or
even whisky-woUld h" restored automati-
cnlly 10 its old place IN the social and po.
nflral lie OF inc Nafion. or lherc IN no
suggestion anywhere in this country Of the
really scientific restrictive schemes which
are being applied successfully in places Ike
Quebec and parts Of Scandinavia.
T:pon n revival Of the Saloon depends
every plan advanced thus iar for reforms of
IN" ''dry" laws. The over zrnlousncss Of
the Anti Saloon I"agun Is IN part respon
she Tor this Ilal the League been con
tent to abolish th" saloon it would have
known little Of the Sor, uf troubles that are
growing up about It. An agency opposed
10 intoxicat!on. II hcram" Intoxicated with
is own power. Mr.. Wheeler may be
likened to Napoleon. II" ri~ked everything
by demanding and desiring 700 much.