The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1924-03-14
HISTORY AND EXPLANATION
OF THE RADIO DEBATE

permitting beer and wine through
modification OF the Nol,sead act.
20. G.. Christgau.'
On March 10 the following state
ment was issued by O. G. Christgau
relative to tho radio referendum:
Statement by o. G. Christgau Relative
to Radio Debate by WJAZ
The conditions OF the radio refer
endum taken by WJAZ on the ques-
ton OF modifying the Volstead act
were fixed by the broadcasting sta
ton and not agreed upon as a means
of securing a fair expression of senti-
ment. The newspapers were given
advance notice that the radio referen-
dunn contest had not been accepted
| by the debaters or anyone represent
ing the dry interests. Because of the
publicity given to the returns by the
newspapers without at the same time
making clear the conditions of the ref
erendum, a statement may be of in
tcrest TO any who wish to determine
how accurately public sentiment was
reflected
First it should be noted that the
radio referendum was primarily a
prize contest and not straw ballot.
Most of the kilograms sent undoubt-
edly represented the senders hope to
win the $500 automobile or one of
the radio prizes, rather than an inter
est in the question discussed. No CON
illusions can fairly be based on the re-
suits OF the referendum without taking
the following conditions and facts into
consideration.
Il. a very large proportion of those
who favor prohibition would not spend
money in a prize contest which they
considered in the nature of lottery
and contrary to their religious prin-
ciples.
-. A considerable proportion of
church people would not patronize the
telegraph Office on the Sabbath day.
the day on which most of the voting
was done.
%. The period OF the debate and the
referendum was from 1000 O'Clock
Saturday night to 1000 o'clock Sun
day night, period when large pro-
portion of the normal dry vote was in
terested in and engaged in church ac-
tivities.
q. The condition requiring votes to
be case by telegraph practically elm
mated the vote from the rural districts
since farmers are not convenient to tel
egraph offices, are not accustomed to
using kilograms and at present not
able or inclined to spend money un
necessarily.
IS. Persons favoring prohibition en-
forcement are naturally not interested
in an expression of opinion in a way
that would have no effect on the law
with which they arc satisfied.
70 On the other hand, those dissat-
ished with the law are naturally more
quick TO register their protests when
ever an opportunity is offered. This
fact is especially significant because
the main activities OF organized wet
groups during recent years have been
in the nature of demonstrations against
the law.
"Iu addition to the above the Incl
dental fact that heavy proportion of
the telegraphed votes came from Chi
cago, Milwaukee and other nearby
large cities is worth considering.
This explanation in connection with
the radio referendum will help to ex
plain why it is that while the vets
frequently win referendum votes which
can not affect prohibition laws, it is
the drys who win in the elections when
dry legislation and enforcement issues
are settled. This statement is given
merely for the benefit OF those who are
honestly interested in arriving at cor
rect conclusions based on the radio
vote. 1t is not given to kill any of the
Joy of any of those vets who still hug
a delusive phantom OF hope and delight
in joining chorus of protest at every
opportunity. We are perfectly con-
tent to let the vets enjoy their refer
endum victories which mean nothing,
while the drys continue to elect law
makers and enforcement officials Ia
vorable to prohibition.
NrvU IyTrnrn nv n n NUInuCT