New Britain herald., 1926-03-20
ATTEMPTS TO MODIFY
 PROHIBITION

there was no need to hold news paper polls on prohibition; the same held true Of most large cities, In tho west as well as In tho east. Where such polls were held In sup. posedly "dry" territory, however, and showed a majority for modih- cation, they were illuminating. So far as we are aware, prohibition lost everywhere.
 Yet in all fairness we are not ,n- cllncd to regard this as final When modincationists can win In a news- paper poll In undoubted prohlbi- ton territory, such as exists in some parts Of the west and south, 1t may be evidence that the vets, filled with the zeal Of crusaders, are moro apt to vote - or vote as frequently as they can. With bal lots printed daily this would seem to be an easy matter
 At the same time, it is quite eN- dent that the desire 10 modify tho Volstcad act has gained greatly since it was passed by Congress. Although the 18th Amendment seems to have met with the ap- proyal of President Wilson, the war President thought so Ill of tho Volstead act that he vetoed It; but Congress, being In a mood 10 an- nihilate Demon Rum and all its works. passed the law over the Presidents veto in the belief that this would settle the liquor busi- ness for all time In this country.
 What constitutes intoxicating liquor Is not a question of law, and should not have been subject for federal ukase. The 18th amend ment, in prohibiting the manufac- ture, transportation or sale of in- toxicating liquors for beverage pur- poses, does not stipulate what con- stitutes intoxicating liquor. Per sonal capacity and how much one drinks has a vital bearing upon this point.
 Instead of leaving this question of what constitutes "intoxication in fact" to the states, 50 that each state would have retained Its right 10 permit the sale of liquors up to whatever alcoholic content public opinion within its border deemed proper, a jealous Congress added the Vols,ead enforcement act fix ing the arbitrary limit of alcoholic content one-half of one per cent. This, 1t Is held, can be changed by Congress at any time it sees fit.
 The present drive against the Volstead act is the most widespread since passage of the law But there is nothing so difficult to nght-in Congress-as the Volstead law The vets will find this out very effcc- lively. The wet senators and repre- sentatives arc frequently heard from but lack the power of num- bcrs. The dry regime is bound up with the political machines of both parties in most of the states. A writer has declared that 35 out of fl western senators will be dry in the next Congress no matter which ones are elected. In the House 1t is no better.
 Of course, Congress can "investi- gate" the enforcement machinery as the Senate judiciary committee has voted to do That takes time and usually leads nowhere Con- gross as a whole has q habit of not acting on too many committee re- ports.
 Ii the vets want to change the Nolstcad act they will have to elect senators and representatives ac- cordngly. But as a rule they don't. The political parties are so badly mixed up with various sectional is- sues that the prohibition issue, if it exists, is submerged and drys get into office. Indeed, west of the At lantic coast and except for the large cities there seem to be noth- ing but drys running for office most of the time. These seem 10 have the inside track with the organiza- lions,
 The vets have another chance in the congressional elections, slim though it may be. They have won victory in q nationwide" news- paper poll that is more or less ac- ] curate as q barometer of public sentiment. But as yet Congress Is not convinced To change the Vol stead act will require much more effort than has been expended so far The entire complexion of Con- gross would have 10 be changed. l IL looks like too much of a task at this time.
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 So We are 10 have rapidly rising temperatures in tho northeastern states. And wc are 10 have thaws and swollen rivers That means inc