The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-05-27
Mayor of NobesviIIe Declares GIiom and Governor
Jackson Were Wrong in Getting Liquor for
Sick Members of Family.

Of the law il 1t were modified. Bound
to be. There is abuse of any law
by those who are so disposed, yet
we cannot let that possible abuse in
terfere with justice and common
sense.
1--WE don't abandon the smanufac-
ture of firearms because murder can
be done with a gun. We do not
them to make quick getaways. We
allow the use of morphine by physi-
clans. Why in the name Of common
sense do we Interfere with the
physicians weapons when he fights
for life. just because that weapon,
whisky. is enormously used and traf-
ficked by certain elements?"
Banker for Modification
Charles Shemon. cashier of the
Citizens National Bank, was equally
emphatic. IT certainly favor a modi-
fication of the bone dry law OF In
diana. When it makes self-respect.
ing citizens, in their effort to save
human life. law breakers and boot
leggers, it's high time something
should be done.
II would have acted just as Gov
ernor Jackson did-any man who
loves his wife or his family would
have done as he did. I have talked
with numbers of physicians who
have told me that they don't want
to be forced into bootlegging but
that they are handicapped by being
unable to use whisky in the treat
ment of certain diseases"
Deems Law Ridiculous
Frank McCarty. president OF the
Citizens National Bank agreed with
Shemon. Il think the present bone
dry law is ridiculous" he said. Il
don't drink myself-have no possible
desire to do so. so this opinion has
no personal tinge, but l certainly
would have done Just what Jackson
did. The law should be sufficiently
modified that medicinal whisky could
be used when the attending physi-
clan requires II in his treatment"
If had to go TO the penitentiary
for so doing, l would certainly have
broken the law which involved a pos.
sible death of my wife" said B. p.
kingsbury, manager OF the Thomas
Dye Lumber Company of Kokomo.
Il certain approve OF what Jack
son did. Although whisky is, ] be-
lieve, an economic menace. yet the
law should be sufficiently modified to
allow its use when needed.
Fear that a modification of the
bone-dry law OF Indiana would get
out Of control, is an unfounded one.
Narcotics are controlled by law. The
Harrison narcotiv law has beauti.
fully taken care of the illict dispens.
ing of narcotics. Some such law
could be worked out in reference to
whisky which would make 1t posi-.
BILE for physicians TO use it as they
would any other drug"
Cites Drug Lev Success
DR.. Nathaniel Hamilton. a leading
physician Of Kolcmo. also 2fcrred
to the Harrison narcotic law as a
successful one.
IF through such a law the dis
pensing OF morphine deadly drug
and the use of which can become
one of the most terrible of habita-
Is successfully controlled. OF cour Sc.
the dispensing of whisky, to be used
as a drug, can be controlled by
proper legislation" he said.
There are diseases such as pneu-
monia, typhoid. and conditions fol-
lowing surgical operations, and
phases of pregnancy. when no other
drug is as good as this condemned
one. whisky. Certainly a physician
is handicapped by not being able to
use It. Certainly it's a bad law we
have in Indiana which causes law
abiding citizens to feel that they
have to transgress the law in order
10 save life.
ut is true that some physicians
differ as to The curative properties
of alcohol. However. there is a diff
ference in systems Of medicines, yet
we do not therefore contend that
some system should be thrown out,