The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1922-08-19
TOPEKA STATE JOURNAL
Information Bureau
ISSUE STILL ALIVE
TREDERIO J. HASKIN, DIrecHnI
Washington. ID. q.

but death and taxes" Were the kite
flying philosopher and statesman
fication. For instance, he might IN
cIude industrial friction and conflict
in his list OF the perennial and un-
escapable things TO which human kind
is heir.
Also, he might include prohibition
and the numerous ramifications ana
side issues of that subject, for 1t ap-
pears that we are to have the prom
bition question always with us. There
were those who thought it was settled
when the eighteenth amendment was
adopted and the Volstead law was
enacted. Not so! 1t bobs up every
where and all the time.
The vets are demonstrating that
they are hneal descendants of the
original "die-hards." Just Qow they
are excited over a nationwide poll or
straw vote which to date has indi-
Gated a substantial majority sentiment
favCring the repeal of the prohlb1-
tory, amendment or some modification
OF the Volstead law and they are mar
shalling their forces for further tests
over the issue before the present ses-
sion of the congress Is permitted TO
adjourn. At the same time the ques-
ton is being injected into primary
contests and will be much heard of
during tho campaign that will close
with tile November elections.
Senator Reeds denomination in Mis-
souri, brought much comfort to the
vets, for lie is outSpokenly on their
side of the question-one of the few
men prominent in public life who
have had the courage or the hardi-
hood 10 take that Standard he was
running against an avowed dry can
didate. On the other hand, the drys
point out thot there were other issues
inv clved in the Missouri contest ind
scout the idea that any significance
is TO he-attached to the result in so far
as prohibition is concerned. Thus the
fires of argument are famed and the
unpreiudiced-if there are any such
where this question is raised-may
take their choice of sides.
How Tests May Be Made.
There are several ways of bringing
about test votes when it is decided
that the time has come to put mem
bers of congress on record again. One
such is to tack on a rider to the SOL
diers' bonus bill providing for the
manufacture and sale of light wines
and beer under tax sufficiently high
to raise the funds necessary to pay
the bonus. Such a move is to be ex-
pected from the vets, but support will
be urged on the grounds that the SOL
diers are entitled to the bonus, that
the only thing that stands in the %vay
of this recognition of their services
scheme will not only produce enough
funds to meet this demand but will
provide a surplus for other govern
ment needs.
This proposal may not get by, but
it will cause senators and representa-
tives to do some heavy thinking before
they make up their minds which way
TO vote on it. 1t may be said to be
loaded with several kinds of political
dynamite.
Another way OF bringing the prohi-
bition issue to a fore again is in
connection with the ship subsidy bill.
1t is well known that, government
ships now being operated have bars
and cater to the thirsty when they are
outside the three-mile limit of the
United States, as do the passenger YES
sells of other nations. Whether this
is violation of the Volstead law has
not been definitely determined as yet,
but it is source of concern to the
drys. The vets cite it as evidence
that there is growing sentiment
against prohibition, or the enforce
ment act, at least. Otherwise, they
say, government officials would not
permit such thing.
Various amendments can be pro-
posed to the subsidy measure that will
precipitate the issue. One might
stipulate that no subsidy shosld be
paid to a company which had bars
or permitted the sale of intoxicants
on the vessels which it operates. An
other might embody a change in the
Volstead law so that it would not ap-
ply 10 Gn1teu states SHIPS Wnen they
are outside the three-nile limit. and
would thus legalize unquestionably
what is now being done. Still anothe:
might simply provide for the repeal
of the enforcement act.
The last, whether proposed as a
rider to The subsidy or any other bill,
or submitted as a distinct measure, is
the one way of return to pre-prohibi-
ton days. No one now contemplate
seriously an attempt to repeal or re-
IL u IN.
accomplish Rhis would require an
other constitutional amendment and
when 1t is recalled that only three
states refused to ratify the eighteenth
it is apparent that II
would be impossible to secure the
a new amendment that would elimi-
nate prohibition from the nations
organic law.
However, the eighteenth amend
ment merely prohibits the manufac-
ture, transportation, sale and use for
beverage purposes of Intoxicating
liquor. 1t does not define intoxicants
and it does not provide any penalties
for violation of the amendment or any
means for enforcing it. All this was
to be repealed prohibition would be
as dead as John Barleycorn is now
supposed TO be. -
Repeal Improbable.
But 1t is not anticipated that an
effort will be made in earnest to re-
peal the yolstead law. 1t may be
proposed as a tactical move but with |
no idea of putting it over. Only the |
wettest of the vets favor a return to |
the days of the saloon and hard liquor, |
and they are in a hopeless minority,
Accordingly the real play will be |
for such a modification of the Vol |
stead law that beer and light wines |
may be manufactured. sold and used |
any where in the country, except in |
those states that had state prohibition !
before the amendment to the federal |
Advocates OF this proml
poEal claim that il will promote tenn
perance even if it is a blow aimed at |
absolute prohibition They argue that
1t will go far toward ending the pres
flIara1 in