South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-23
TINT BOOZE POLL.

publication OF the results OF second hundred
thousand votes IN a poll OF ten million citizens on
the question OF wet. dry or damp convictions con-
Quoted by the Literary Digest has brought Protest
from both vets and drys.
The liquor interests are challenging It's fairness
the ground that names do not include a large
proportion OF population who cannot read the Eng
hsh language and that therefore not represen-
tative. Such plea might have been expected from
This source.
Il IS challenge 70 the integrity OF America ITSELF
which has official language. comes from
those who prohted BIZ the "unAmerican saloon" in
the palmy days OF degradation which that insttu-
ton fostered and created. Few people will listen
to such plea be turned away from the results
Of this canvas being made by the magazine.
The professional prohibitonists speaking through
Rev. =. s. Shumaker, superintendent OF the Anti
saloon League OF Indiana. also protest against the
publication of the poll being taken by the Digest.
He has much more plausible ground OF ob5ec-
ton, three grounds IN fact.
He objects to the wording Of the question which
Identifies volstead with prohibition
amendment. That Is largely technical as to the
minds OF most people the Volstead Act means COM
plete dryness which the people who voted in that
manner may be reasonably presumed to favor.
his second objection Is that in asking whether
those who gaze answers in favor of light wines
and beers It IS assumed that congress has the
Only the supreme court OF the nation can decide
this matter It is true. however. that in upholding
the Volstead act against attack OF brewers who
insisted that the one-halt OF per cent was far
roo low a mark for the dividing line between in
toxicatng and notwithstanding beverages the court
decided that congress having fixed that limit.
evidence could be presented to overthrow its judy
ment.
It might declare that could not
create high percentage but until II does so, It's
decision that the power OF congress TO set limit
Is absolute and unquestionable. might seem to sug-
gest that the Digest perfectly proper ques-
ton
The third objection voiced in these words:
THE results OF the Literary Digests poll
hardly be considered a real index OF the sentiment
Of our citizens on this question independent Of the
objections herewith urged. for the that the
women Of America are largely ignored in this poll
The telephone directories OF the states
which understand the Digest obtained practically
ell names. are listed with names principally Of
men And poll be correct index OF public
sentiment which dis-franchises the women who are
also voters"
This is an objection to be considered most seri-
ousy. For If the opinions gathered by this maya
zine really fail TO represent the OF the
tion, they must be more than worthless.
The women OF this land voting and. II It be
true as suggested that these ten million votes do
the accuracy Of the results and would give reason
for support by the League a poll taken
officially which would show conclusively that the
VIII OF the people and law OF the land identical
The second hundred thousand votes approx
nateIy the same those OF the first hundred thous-
and.
OF the totals. 1851 reported in favor of
The strctest enforcement OF the liquor law; 46,64s
are in favor OF the repeal prohibition amend
of tho
soroenent law so as maks light wines and beers
permissible.
-he big outstanding fact Is that only one in FIVE
favors the old days Of booze. That should forever
silence those who believe that they
oaCk the pages OF history and repeal the prohibi-
ton amendment.
II YOU add the damp to the dry votes you find
a. overwhelming proportion in favor Of the const-
tutIonal amendment
ON tile other hand y you add the damp votes
o .lc wet and YOU have over sixty per cent OF the
people 10 favor of a modification OF the law It
may De fairly presumed that thoss who voted
against the amendment would favor a change which
would permit them obtain tho 'nilder drinks. II
the stronger 0aes TO be barred.
Ouly ..c per cent of the vote now reported.
nru.h zoo small a number TO be conclusive Of pubno
sentiment
T., d De hored that the magazine II It has not
SO arranged. viii devise some Ian which will be
fairly representative OF the women . the country
ara ubash that result.
The big th.rs In America. IN these days OF
ehso-ic conditions. with growing disrespect
courts and for Jaws with increasing tendencies to
f1wlessness. is 20 make laws which have behind
hem strong enough public opinion to demand
tle.r strictest enforcement
ANY sumptuary law which does not have behind
3 The favor and support OF the majority cannot but
create further d.srespect for all law
It might he further suggested that IN so large
an undertaking. the fact that violent partlsans OF
he opposing sides both protest fairness would
indicate that the magazine Is doing a rather good
job Of rejecting public OPINION.
POTrCH RIDING