Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1922-02-16

''Why did tho Congress- of the United
states pursue tho course IL did in the
matter of the adoption of the resolu-
tion relating TO tho adoption OF the
Eighteenth Amendment, let one of
the most noted OF It's members answer
The country came TO SEQ that the
lcgallzed saloon and liquor traffic was
an economic liability and 1t had to so.
hence the overwhelming vote in the
United States Senate in favor of the
measure Furthes. II the general
public Is opposed TO existing Federal
prohibltory legislation. why did such
u vast majority of the states ratify
the Eighteenth Amendment and the
Congress pass enforcement acts, chief
of which Is the Nolstead act? And
further still. why did a majority of the
states. among which, in Delaware. CO.
operate with the Federal laws by pass
lrg rigid enforcement measures look
ing toward tine enforcement of the
laws in question:
And why did recent Congress APP
proprlato additional funds for the en-
forcement of thls national legislation
n the general public was so bitterly op-
posed to those laws and their enforce
ment7 Arc we 10 infer from tho ex-
argeratcd and Incorrect assertions in
this chicago resolution that the Con-
cress of the United States, with repre-
sentatives in all the sta1es. are un-
aware OF the trend OF punlic senti-
ment7 Judge ye, for YOU are all in
telligent and reasonable men, capable
lf.f x.a.fu~f,f,e~ IA hafCr-.>
80. Finally, let us examire the sec
ond paragraph OF this Chicago reso'
luton. which AYERS that while most
drastic, comprehensive and summary
IN its scope and character. effort e
I enforce same at vast expense has ut
! tCrly failed 20 obtain and secure foi
Il due and proper respect and obedienc'
on. the part OF the people Con ern
! ing which. we beg your honorable bod!
tu bear In mind the facts;
"a. The largest appropriation for tbs
enforcement OF this, 10 some OF ohr
citizens. offensive Legislation rs .solnei
thing over S1.00o,000. This must covei
the whole country. II must suffice tC
cope with the struggles of a trad,
which took from the pockets of oul
] tlTATIUe IilP AAUltSk Aii'tUNtANaNit Shi
Of $1,000, o,ooo.ooo a year. Can we no
all see that a business involving sucl
immense sums of money VIII in orde
20 partly rehabilitate itself by in
direction, if I'm no other way, make ;
paliry $1,000, 900 look very small?
ID. But II we are informed that thi
resolution does not contemplate tn
bringing back OF the licensed saloon
we reply That it would, IL anything
be worse than the legalized saloon, 70
Il would open a focdgate to all sort
lof abuse OF any existing laws.
&C But what OF the assertion that
has been impossible to secure and ob
tain for & due and proper respect ant
obedience on the part of the people
What portion Of our people? Are no
the American people as a rule Law
abidins7 What proportion Of our peo
pie are falling to give due respect an
obedience 10 existing prohibitory leg
lslation?' is not this Chicago resolu
ton an insult TO the intelligence o
the great mass Of the American peo
pie? Is IL not a matter OF fact tina
compared with our total population
the number failing TO give due an
proper respect for these laws is com
pamtively email? The answer Is obvi
Gus.
I'd. Now as TO the enforcement q
these laws. what is the testimony c
the Hon. Roy Haynes. Federal pro
hlbition director? This. That Will
there are difficulties in the way be
cause OF the vast interests involved
yet these laws are being as euccessfu al
" enforced as any other cr.mina
laws on the Federal statute books
for example, the banking laws of ou
country are most drastic and thei
violation IS visited with heavy punish
snent, yet scarcely a day passes tina
our daily press does not contain &C
counts Of one or more Violations c
these stringent laws. Is there an
clamor on the part Of the public 70
their modification? All criminal law
are systematically violated. but tha
does not justify discounting thos
laws. What Is the testimony of ou
own State prohibition director? II
agrees with Mr.. Haynes II the state
ment q1oed above. Do these men Sc
10 enforce these laws know what the
assefty Are they not intelligent men
What is the testimony Of police OF
ncers and workhouse keepers in thi
connection? To those who read thei
reports this exaggerated resolutio
from Chicago falls by its own weigh
Finally, not TO prolong This pape
we all know that Delaware is one {
the States that has gone 80 far as {
prohibit even the use of whisky an
Vnous and malt liquors even for med
cine. We all recall the determined an
powerful effort made in the Stat
legislature to repeal or modify tha
law. We recall how that effort failet
Why should a municipal body in
dry State be asked TO act upon ,
resolution Ike this before your body
ana, further, THE is not a legislativ
rody. IL Is not elected as such NO
upon the issue involved in this West
ern resolution. For all the reasons as
signed and in view Of the attitude {
our own State, We respectfully as
your honorable body 10 decline To Sc
the seal Of your approval upon th
paper before you"
Mr.. White also made a brief az
cress' declaring the Eighteent
Amendment will never be repeaIe
while the Constitution lasts and I'M
! pressing the duty of citizens to stric
~ obey the laws. He said 95 per cer
/ Of the alcoholic beyera cec a, -,