Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1926-01-20
SIX YEARS OF NATIONAL PRO-
HIBITION
From West Virginia Edition Of
American Issue.)


(From West Virginia Edition of
American Issue.)
How the world does movel Our
country now enters its 7th dry year.
The people wanted Prohibition. That
was why 46 out Of the 48 states rat
I flied it. The fact that the law is as
well enforced as it Is, shows that.
/ The opposition to the dry law is
highly organized and financed. They
would restore the brewers to power
and reopen saloons. Popular En-
prohibition. They demand its en-
/ forcenent. There have been three
national primaries. and elections
since the 18th Amendment went into
effect More candidates pledged to
enforcement have been chosen at
each primary and election than in
the preceding one. The same is true
of West Virginia.
Numerous popular organizations
now demand prohibition enforce
ment. Notable among these is the
Woman's National Committeefor
Law Enforcement. representing TO-
600, 900 women. Two surveys made
by the Manufacturers Record of
Baltimore prove that prohibition is as
popular as ever, among business
men.
Enforcement Victories: In the
past six years there have been more
than fifty successful federal, legisla-
tive, judicial and administrative bat
ties for prohibition enforcement.
Outstanding victories are
The adoption of the National Pro-
hibiton (Volstead) act, and the Sup
Elementary Prohibition Act; the CON
tinued appropriations for enforce
ment: the enlistment of the Coast
Guard in enforcement. Thirtyethree
states had prohibitory laws when the
18th Amendment became operative.
The remaining states, except Mary
land, have since adopted prohibition
enforcement laws.
judicial The Supreme Court sus-
tanned the 18th Amendment, the
Volstead Act and other enforcement
legislation; upheld the laws of var
ious states for stricter enforcement.
Executive: The Executive and
Justice Department have announced
the policy of prosecuting all offend
ers of the law. large and small, and
declare that "the Federal govern
ment will use all its resources for
prohibition enforcement" New reg
ulations provide for better control of
non-beverage liquors Whiskey has
been eliminated from proprietary
medicines. Anti-smuggling treaties
have been negotiated with nine ma
tons, headed by Great Britain. Pen
alties have been made severer. Fines
and penalties imposed in federal
courts last year totalled $7,934,S54.-
SO, nearly replacing the $9,201 ,334.-
06 expended
Prohibition Results.
Economic Benefits: Herbert Hoov-
er, Secretary of Commerce, said.
Prohibition is responsible for a good
share of the enormously increasing
efficiency in production. It is putting
money in the family pocketbook."
Henry Ford. Judge E. H. Gary, Rog-
er Babson and others agree with Mr..
Hoover.
Social: Drunkenness has decreas-
ed. Intoxication arrests average $50,
600 fewer than in the last wet year.
The death rate has perceptibly de-
clined. Brewery and saloon corrup-
tion and domination in politics is
broken by Prohibition.
Moral: Prohibition helped the in
creases in church membership and
the response of youth |
for life service. the general interest
in new idealism in national and inter-
national relationships, and the new
note of service that pervades bust
ness and industry as well as religious
circles.
Our Problems: 1. Indifference to
civic duties troubles US. 2. Getting
the churches to see that they must
fight or run. 3. Counteracting false
wet propaganda. a. Getting our
own State to do it's full part in en-
forcement. 5, Mending our nets,
strengthening our dry laws, state
and federal. 6. Divorce enforce
ment from politics. 7. Create
higher conception of law and govern
ment. 8. Securing capable, faith
full officers. and faithful backing for
them by citizens. 9. Educating our
youth and aliens as to the evils of
alcohol, the benefits of prohibition,
the efforts of liquor traffic to return.
Every loyal citizen and agency
should be actively. strongly on the
side of the law.
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