South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-09-05
WOMEN AND BOOZE.

No question will be settled IN this country
until the women Of the nation have the final voice
Those thirsty souls who took hope when the poll
being taken by the Literary Digest among ten mil
lion men showed marked inclination to modify
the prohibition law turn their attention
20 home brewing and the making Of fruit juioes
for what ever hope they may have held as to
Public opinion condemning strict enforcement of
The law disappears before the returns of the wo-
man voters.
When its attention was called 10 the fact that
re poll showed nothing because failed to include
The most important woman's vote the magazine
sent out 100000 ballots to women, chosen from
the voting lists in the different states
The women were asked the same three questions
as 10 whether they wanted strict prohibition light
wines and beers or a repeal OF the dry amendment
The magazine this week tabulates the replies
rom ss.115 and these show that the wo-
men Of the nation are most strongly for the pres
snt law. Differing from the votes of men, the totals
enforcement stood 1921 for enforcement OF
the law and only 32669 for any modification of the
present restrictions and with but 1888 for the
repeal Of the
There be question as to where the votes
for light wines and beers would go if there was
ever presented a straight issue between repeal Of
me amendment and its integrity
The women. almost soldly would stand for the
law. for has known BY experience in the
wet days the terrible penalties which she has paid
for the drinking by the portion Of the popuia-
ton.
The modification sentiment. somewhat strong is
undoubtedly due to the conditions created not by
enforcement OF the law by the failure of the
enforcement officers the widespread gratis that
made many n1ilonaires from those IN the conf
dence OF officials, from the effects of the poisons
that permitted be sold by the peddlers
Of poisons to the youth Of the land
Some women may have been led to the mistaken
idea that it would be better modify the law and
permit the sale of drinks with small alcoholic con-
tent rather than to grapple with the problem of
the bootlegser and his insanity producing con-
coctions
OF quite great significance as the size Of the
is the fact that in every group of states the
has practically the same percentage. Only in
the Middle Atlantic states of New York, New Jer-
sey Pennsylvania does the vote for modification
exceed that strict enforcement In no state does
The vote for repeal .outnumber that for enforce
nent.
the women Of this country think about the return
Of booze.
The wet interests guessed accurately when they
fought the granting of the vote to woman. They
that its coming meant their going. That is
The reason why they fought so desperately to Ere
vent the mothers and wives OF the country from
having voice in government
She has it The women who giving their
views those who have taken afnterest in gov
eminent and have exercised their rights of suffrage
They can be depended upon TO marshall their sis
tsrs TO the polls whenever that amendment is IN
danger
Politicians who have tried to figure out what
women would do with the ballot may concern
themselves no longer. Whenever any question is
raised that menaces the home children woman
viii vote soldly. On less important or financial
questions she will divide her influence. But on
there Is no division and no surrender