Evening star., 1924-01-31

They tried hard enough, but it
didn't work. editors agree. Selection
Of the newly coined word "scoffiaw."
as a designation of oprobrium for
those who refuse to accept the Vol
stead law, apparently has given only
the coiners of humorous phrases
satisfaction. This, too. despite the
fact that q prize of $500 went to the
author.
Now. although the word is only a
very few weeks old, it already has
nearly disappeared from circulation,
although the Springfield Union recalls
that money prizes are still to be
garnered for the best statement why
the drinker of liquor should be call
ed 'scoff1aw.'" although the Union
says. 1T seems that the judges who
selected the designation already have
made that point clear, but. as there
seems to be no limit to the bounty, let
the good work go on" To which the AL
bany News. after scoring the. drink
of a word and it was rather a silly
contest too. But the sooner the pro-
hibition law is obeyed and all Amer
leans respect all laws. the better"
York Evening World in asking
whether any one has noticed any
heads bowed in shame under the
pulverizing. triple-power. 5000 prize
epithet of excoriation? On the con-
trary. 'scofiiaws, seem tickled by the
term With that sense of humor
which SO signally separates them
from the prohibitionists, the tscoff-
laws have genially pinned the op
probious decoration to their coats and
displayed 1t without a sign of dismay
or depression. The most law-abiding
of citizens may scofr at a bad law.
The best use of good laws declared
Wendell Phillips, rs to teach men
to trample bad laws under their
Then again. as the Columbus State
Journal points out, "a certain spon-
taneity in their coinage seems req
uisite to the popularity of new
words. The writer. and no less the
word coiner. fails of his potential
best when he ss, sonseiously s sets out ito TO
the view of the Manchester Union.
which insists coming a word is "like
one of those proposed national an
thems or college songs written as
which never get anywhere because
they do not speak out Of emotion
to emotion"
**
AS words go, "it's a perfectly good
word" the Binghamton Press feels.
but it won't mean anything unless
the time comes when the man who
SCOTS at law is looked upon by the
public with general contempt" The
st. Joseph Gazette likewise sees merit
in the plan to get some designation
that would apply, because this con-
traband liquor traffic and the surrep-
titious drinking that makes the traf-
En nao hn
rupting influence in American life.
A term of reproach that would be apt,
and would carry sting. and come
into general use, might do more than
regulative laws to bring Lax citizens
Vile Times adds that any name ap-
piled will "be accepted with pride and
worn with a swagger, but the Weta,
Gratis are a minority, and small
one"
as a means OF suppressing lawless
drinking was not thought Of earlier
in the game" the Knoxville Sentinel
asserts "It is SO simple and so mex
ened in conscience that he does not
wholly wither under the term SCOT
flaw, the drys can stab his conscience
by pointing the finger OF scorn at him
or by sticking out the tongue at him.:
And the Wichita Eagle; dealing d.
sists: Mr. King, your 5000 arc
wasted. And the fellows at whom
you would hurl your two-hundred-
dollar word will go right on drinking
synthetic gin, utterly regardless Of
the kissing Of your terrible sibilant."
This view has the Endorsement of the
Decatur Herald, which points out
that inasmuch as offenders of these
types are looked upon with no par
ticular repugnance by their. fellow
.citiyeuss n 1nsudeE4 against prohihi=,