Evening star., 1926-03-10
DRY LAW QUESTION
AROUSES CONGRESS
Somers Favors Referendum
on Wine and Beer Re-
turn Plan.

Th, prohibition question again agi-
tated the House today when Repre-
sentative Somers. Democrat. New
York, introduced a resolution calling
for a referendum on modification Of
the Nolstead act.
Representative Tinkham of Massa
chusetts. a Republican on the House
appropriations committee, which to-
day reported the annual District Of
Columbia appropriation bill, at the
same time. in statement. asserted
| hearings on the measure disclosed
that dry law violations were on de-
cided increase in the National Capital.
Representatives Black and Celler.
both New York Democrats. also issued
, statements regarding prohibition. the
former calling upon President Cool
idge to make known his position on
the question. which. he asserted, is the
outstanding issue before us
Public's View Asked.
The Somers resolution would pro-
vide for referendum on amending
the Volstead act to authorize the sale
coholic content of which does not ex-
ceed 2.75 per cent by weight for beer
and per cent for Wines
The referendum proposed by SOM
ers would he held by each House
member taking a poll of the regis
tered voters in his district. The clerk
of the House would be authorized
to provide ballots and franked en-
velopes for the purpose.
Tinkham asserted that statistics
given the committee for Washington
showed that, although the popula-
ton has increased 34.7 per cent in
the last Is years. the arrests for in
toxication have increased 11l.9 per
cent.
Intoxication Increases.
THE increase for the fve-year
period. 1920.1925. was 95.1 per cent.
he said. These statistics disclose
profound civic depravity and social
disintegration. No other capital IN
the world can compare with the Cap
ital of the United States In lawiess'
ness. disorder and increase in crime.
"The causes for this social dissolu--
tion are patent to any casual student.
Among the foremost should be placed
the decline of the permanency OF
American family life and the destruc-
ton of the American home.
Another important cause is the loss
Of respect on the part of the people
for the church. American representa-
tive government has gradually come
under the control of eCCleSiastlcal>iu-
thority which has lost the spiritual
influence and control 1t once exer
cised over the hearts and conscience
of men.
Saws Crimes Are Artificial.
"StilI another cause is the adoption
of constitutional amendments ana the
massage of laws making crimes of &c.
tions which are not sins and TO which
is attached no moral turpitude.
Prohibition referendums being con-
Quoted by different newspap pers were
mentioned by Representative Celier.
who referred to "the overwhelming wet
sentiment" indicated by the poll.
"If there is such a strong sentiment
for wine and beer" interrupted Rep
resentative Blanton, Democrat, Texas,
'it ought to be easy to stack Con-
gress with vets at the next election,
but predict you will not gain over
five votes
Members Leaning. He says.
Most members of Congress" re-
torted Mr.. Celler. "are like the lean
ing tower of Pisa-they have the In
cI1nat1On, out Qdfe HOt Idl.
He was asked whether 1t was not
true that 1.-The two Colorado Senators
have fallen since publication OF the
poll started" and said he understood
that was true.
Edwards to Fight.
Incensed because of the failure of the
Senate judiciary committee to give
public hearings on measures before 1t
calling for repeal or modification OF
the prohibition laws. Senator Edwards,
Democrat, New Jersey, leader among
the "wets" was prepared today to be-
gin a fight in the Senate itself for
recognition of the demand made by
those in favor of repeating or modify
ing the Volstead act.
Senator Edwards Is ready, 1t was
said, to conduct a crusade, speaking
daily in the Senate on the subject of
repeal and modification of the pro-
hibition law.
BY such a crusade he hopes to call
attention Of the public to situation
which he insists is indefensible, caused
by the failure of the Senate judiciary
committee to grant hearings on seven
bills and resolutions which have been
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