The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1925-04-18
Certain Sane Questions


l late indicates that we are getting away
from the bitter partisanship that has colored
the argument between vets and drys for so
long.
The time may not be far distant when this
tremendous experiment in government may
be discussed dispassionately. Only when the
problem can be handled scientifically, rather
than politically will it be solved satisfactorily.
IF it is approached scientifically, the ques-
ton will be: What is the truth about prohibi-
tionY
Thus far the argument on both sides has
been so bitterly partisan that the truht has
been unable to appear above the noise of con-
dicting opinions
When we get down to facts the prohib
tionists have a big advantage in the fact that
the Eighteenth amendment was legally adopt
ed and the Vostead act was legally and consti-
tutionally enacted
Their advantage is reinforced by the opin-
ion, or superstition that the best way to kill
bad law is to enforce it. But even if there be
conflicting opinions as to that, it is true that
every officer of the law, from the President on
down, takes oath when he takes office to en-
force the law. 1t makes no difference whether
he likes the law or not
Those opposed to prohibition will have to
prove their case. They will have to convince
a big majority Of the people, first, that the
Vostead act is bad law, and after that, that
the Eighteenth amendment should be stricken
from the Constitution.
To prove their case they will have to prove
it by facts.
Propaganda either by professional vets or
professional drys will not be convincing. It
will be taken as prejudiced and partisan, like
much of the political argument when the Re-
publicans and Democrats are fighting for con-
troll of the government-and the Offices
If it were possible for an impartial body
of scientists, including psychologists, psycholo-
gists and professors of law and government,
to conduct survey of the entire problem and
get at the facts, some attention might be given
to their report and conclusions.
There some questions that might be an
swered fairly and scientifically, questions all
falr-mlnded citizens would like to have an
swered
Is the general contempt for the Volstead
law teaching general contempt for law and gov
ernmentY
Is there any relation between prohibition
and the increase in crime?
What is the influence if any, on the morals
Of the people, particularly the young people
Of this generation?
If prohibition will actually prohibit the
use of alcoholic drink and make all the people
good in the way that the sternest prohibition
lists want all people to be good, will the Ameri-
can race be improved9
Another way of putting that question
would be: Would the American race be i'm
proved if all of us were nodded to the type Of
the leading opponents Of prohibition2
Has the Volstead act degenerated our
Federal courts to the level of the old-time
police courts? If so, what is the effect on pon
ular respect for Federal government, law and
authority?
Will the success of prohibition lead to fur
Their regulation of human conduct by law
There are other questions that might be
included in this list, and which a research or
ganlzation might seek to answer, but this is
enough for the present purpose-which is TO
suggest that there could be an impartial sci
entlfc inquiry into the wisdom, efficacy, desira-
bility and possibility of prohibition as the rem
edy for the evils of the use or abuse of intoxi-
eating liquors.
Politics won't solve the problem Science
may