San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1926-04-09


thctic gin and then distribute it pre-
rata.
Some may ask where they get it
Ask me where they can't get it
and I'll have an easier question TO
answer"
Il think the committee will take
iuiieial notice that New Jersey is
wet" obserrcd Senator Walsh, Demo
crai. Mountain.
Il think 1t has been demonstrated, "
said IIilfcrs.
Appearing as a witness for the vets
and speaking as personal represent
tive Of President William Green Cf
tie federation. William Roberts told
tine committec that the present up
sing Of those opposed TO the Vol
lead act is stable solid movement
Il sincerely believe that those who
IpnSc light wines and beers realize
Tat referendum will declare in fav-
- Of a modification of the NOlStca /
ret he said. IF this were not true,
Why do they fight n referendum so
slrcnuously?
FIRST WITNESS.
''The defenders Of the VolStead act
apparently prefer 20 see the people OF
car country seriously affected by VIC
t1s connections Of liquor rather than
l. make il temperance country bt
sSalizins the manufacture Of mild
hers"
Mr.. Roberts was the first witness
for the vets on ~ fifth day OF tho
.;cHate hearings. The drys will begiu
thc presentation OF their side Of III
prohibition picture next week.
Telling Of the 30.O0U-milc trip that
be and the late Samuel Gompers
made over the country in 1929 AMI
1924, the witness said that every
where we went there was plenty Of
distilled liquor, but seldom real beer.
HOMES ARE BREWERIES.
"we found that the homes Of the
people had been turned into breweTfes
and distilleries which turned out dan
gerous cOneOctiOns that if drunk to-
any extent would ruin the health Of
those who drank them he continued.
when asked why they drank such
stuff, they said there vas nothing else
to be obtained, and they invariably
asked when were members Of Congress
going 10 realize that the manufacture
and sale of beer would make for true
temperance Women as well as men
were interested in such questioning.
AS time passed. the resentment
appeared to grow in intensity as We
Travelled about the country from coast
10 coast and from Canada to the
Mexican border. The greatest conf
plant appeared 10 be that the peOp!2
were forced to drink all kinds of con-
cocti0ns represented 10 be whiskey.
FEELING KEPT QUIET.
'But the resentment did not find
much publicity. as newspapers gcncr-
ely supported the Nnlstead act be-
cause the dry element spread its prop
snnda increasingly in every part Of
Tie land. The opponents Of 10" act,
~ far as il prohibited the manufac-
iEro Of beer and light wine, were only
Permitted to voice their opposition
among their friends and acquaint-
g1rr.'
Calling attention that alter Cover
nor Smith of New York. signed the
IN repeating the state enforcement
Z ne was reelected by a substantial
i.a j0rity. Mr.. Roberts said:
EVIDENCE OF FEELING.
That iS an evidence Of the feeling
among the people Of the United States
I'd to recent straw vote taken by
80 newspapers simply emphasizes
har occurred in New York state.
Gac the people a chance to vote on
The tissue. and there is no doubt Of
t.. result.
''Tla wage-earncr a. well AS the
p-ople generally cannot understand
bow n man can BE- personally wet
81 politically dry The straw vote
Will awaken men to the fact that they
haze been misinfOrmed as 10 the real
situation, and that It Is not necessary
for them 10 straddlc I'd" fence. It
may give them courage to vote their
real convictions.
TRUE SENTIMENT.
"No doubt this issue will be raised
III many congressional districts. the
outcome Of which will give a better
idea of the sentiment in favor Uf q
modification Of the EOlstead act. as
the wase-eamers do not believe II is
a true Interpretation Of the eighteenth
amendment.
ANY Law that takes away light
Is highly Objectionable 10 the Ameri-
can people and fanatical statements
10 frequently heard and printed in
crease the resentment against the Vol.
stead act and even the eighteenth
amendment itself"
Senator Reed. Democrat. Missouri.
asked the witness whether the coll
sumption Of hard LIQUOR and distil!ing
in the homes would decrease if beer
were put on sale.
WANT BEER.
Il haven't the least doubt Of it,
replied Roberts.
Does the American Federation Of
Labor oppose the Eighteenth amend.
menty" asked Senator Harreld, Re.
publican, Oklahoma.
No. il is urging 2.7j beer"
-Can you give us the number Of
state fcderatiOns that have asked for
beerg" put in Senator Walsh, Demo
crst, Montana.
~Au Of them coincide in the action
II the executive council" Roberts said
none Of them has protested
William J, McSorley. president Of
the bulldogs Trades Department Of
the American Federation q Labor
urged amendment ~ the Eclstead act
a. a matter II justice.
LABORER SUFFERS.
The rich can get liquor. McSorley
sid hut the workingmen cannot get
a. beer they want
srhe rrgat ma ioritV Of the building