The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1927-12-12
A Fine Suggestion

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Let itsbe hoped that the commander of the
American Legion will press his fine suggestion
that poll be taken within the membership of
that body on the matter of prohibition.
No other group Of citizens has greater
right to express themselves on public question,
rights and responsibilities.
The members of that body for the most part
were not in the United States when the Eight
zenith Amendment was added to the Constitu-
ton. They were in France in the uniform OF
soldiers, fighting and offering their lives to de-
fend the country and the constitution.
The charge is often made that there would
have been greater difficulties than were en-
countered in the ratification of the prohibition
amendment had these young men, most of them
voters, been back home.
That may or may not be true All that is
true is that these voters were not at home
where any influence they may have been able to
! exert could be exercised.
The chances are that had they been at home
the division of sentiment would not have
differed greatly from that of the men and
women who were here and did express them
selves.
But an even greater service could be
rendered by the Legion by showing what the
sentiment of its membership is at present after
a decade of experienc with constitutional pro
hibition and the Volstead act
A poll within the Legion would furnish a
very accurate test Of public sentiment, for the
members of that body furnish the most repre-
sentative group of citizens and sentiment with
in the Legion would probably be very ac-
curate index to the general sentiment of the
Nation
The men who belong to that organization
are now at the age where they exercise sanity
in decision. They furnish the bulwark of pub
lie sentiment. They are at the age when they
determine public sentiment.
Such poll would be removed from any
charge of being political in its inception
The leaders Of the prohibition. movement
recognize that there is still grave question
of public sentiment to be considered At the
recent convention of the Anti-Saloon League
there was decided breach as to future tactics.
The majority Of the leaders favored the
continuance Of political pressure to secure en-
forcement and more legislation. That makes
the question one which other groups of citi-
zens can most appropriately consider as one
of policy in government.
About the only definite conclusion that has
been reached is that the saloon will never re-
turn.
Aside from that there are very many who
doubt the wisdom Of the present system, with
its corruption Of government, its widespread
violations, its general destruction of respect
for all law by the disrespect for this law.
There are very many citizens who are not at
all interested in bringing back legalized alcohol
who believe that the rule of Volstead has had
some by-products which are destructive of good
government and which are tearing down an
orderly government.
A poll within the legion might give some
light. 1t could be conducted so that its YER
dict would furnish guide to public sentiment.
1t would have given light on question that
needs light.
There can be no greater contribution to
good government than making laws conform
to the wishes Of the majority. The commander
Of the legion had an idea
It was too good to be stopped or squelched.