, 1923-03-21
ASSEEN F ROMTHEW WATERMELON
Mak az @nzne@ akhazt EF SAR

Impressive title OF, Board of Tenn
perance, Prohibition and Public
Morals of the Methodist Episcopal
Church" have learned caution and
evidently had one eye on the libel
laws when they wrote the following:
"At the police chiefs dinner in
New York several months ago ESQ
it is said) whiskey was flowing in
abundance and (horrible to relate)
the New York City Police Depart
ment gave it lit is alleged) to all
visiting chiefs. At the National con-
ference of chiefs of police in San
Francisco in June ESQ it is stately
the San Francisco Police Depart
ment had liquor there for all who
wanted it in a special room in the St.
Francis Hotel. 1t is asserted that six
or sever chiefs of police were drunk"
Now, of course, as we said above,
we don't believe this, but if ever at
any time, in Timbuctoo or Zanzibar,
such a thing as this should be true,
we are in favor of turning the full
light of publicity on the situation"
WV
Stuyvesant Fish, former president
of the Illinois Railroad, after a care
full study of conditions following pro-
hibition, gave his views in the Cur
rem History Magazine published by
the New York Times Company. The
following paragraphs are taken from
the article which is too long to print
in full:
"The increase in police costs re-
presents but one part, and, perhaps,
the smallest part, of the additional
burden upon the public"
"The loss in public ven due to
prohibition mounts up into the humid
reds of millions"
1t will be admitted, l believe, that
the greatest injuries inflicted by nat
ional prohibition are not capable of
statistical demonstration. The Eight
zenith Amendment opened a great
breach in the constitutional structure
shocking to those who admired its
logical symmetry, and highly danger
Gus in its invitation to further innova-
ton"
The Volstead act and the supple
ments thereto are so contrary TO
American traditions and practices as
to arouse widespread opposition. The
workers rightfully regard such enact
ments as being practically class legis-
~lation, and their feeling of deep re-
sentiment is pardonable; all classes of
citizens are united in their detestation
of legislation based on falseEood and
violative of the most cherished rights
and privileges, and disrespect for all
law is thereby fostered. In sucl. con-
ditions the professional law violator
is likely to be tolerated and encour-
aged and the smuggler, the boot
logger, the moonshiner and the graft
ing official achieve wealth quickly
and easily. These and the profession
i prohibitionist are the only persons
in the community who prosper in the
present situation.
Again we have the spectacle of
sworn officers of the law deliberately
violating the most sacred parts Of the
Constitution in an effort to enforce
prohibition. Every time a vehicle is
halted on the road and a persons
suitcase or clothing is searched; every
time private premises are invaded
without a search warrant, the Bill of
Rights, without the promise of which
the Constitution could not have been
adopted, is violated ~flagrantly.
The youth of the land, the only
hope of the future, is subjected to the
most potently demoralizing influences
Never before in the history of our
country has it been found necessary
to forego the school dance, the COM
munity social, even the church enters
tainment, because of the fear-based
on experience-that boys and girls
would disgrace the gathering by get
ting drunk"