Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-18
DRY. AMENDMENT
|CA[LEO INEVITABLE
Edward B. Dunford Tells In
stitute 1t Was Logical
Development.

gust H. nc eighteenth anenu
Ilent to the Constitution OF the
United States was inevitable" Ed
ward r. Dunford. assistant general
counsel for the Anti-Saloon League
declared today in speaking before
the University of NirSinia'S Institute
OF Public Affairs.
ut is the logical modern develop
Tlent of the principles of the orig.
nal Constitution that this should be
a government to promote the general
welfare: that the people have the
right to determine the character of
their laws and the right to adopt
amendments as changing conditions
require" he said. mo government
dedicated to the promotion of the
common welfare could long exist
without having to deal with the evils
growing out of alcoholic beverages"
Pointing out that almost every
conceivable" system of regulation OF
control of liquor traffic had been at
tempted in some part of the country
before the amendment was ratified,
Mr.. Dunford said that it was only
Iatural for the people to call into
play the facilities Of the Federal
Government to deal with the phases
with which it could best deal. He
mentioned among those phases
troll of bonded warehouses.
Repeal Remote Probability.
"The amendment has been held by
the Supreme Court to be a valid part
OF the Constitution and to be binding
on all legislative bodies. courts. public
officers and individuals within the
limits of the United States" he said.
'The probability of its repeal is very
remote. AS long as it is in the Con.
stitution there is only one consistent
attitude which those who believe in
constitutional government can take.
namely. to observe the law and to ex-
ert their influence that the law be en-
forced. Any other policy invites law
iessness and anarchy"
Mr.. Dunford stated that the oppo-
nents of the present law thus far have
demonstrated only three things: First.
that there is a minority opposed to the
existing law; second, that they desire
to have the beverage liquor traffic re.
stored, and, third, that there Is no
agreement among them upon any solu-
ton Of the social problem growing out
OF the use Of alcoholic stimulants."
He said that this is asserting condi.
tions under the law to be satisfactory
and Offering no substitute.
Pointing to various bills introduced
In Congress at the last session, he de.
clared that these clearly showed the
wide divergence of views in the ranks
of the minority, and what is very illogi-
cal. an attempt to cure alleged alco.
holic lawlessness by increasing the al.
coholic content in permitted beverages.
intoxicating Liquor Illegal.
"As long as the eighteenth amend
ment is in the Constitution no liquor
Intoxicating in fact may be legalized."
he asserted. Simply to increase the
alcoholic content to where it becomes
mildly Intoxicating would not satisfy
those who demand alcoholic stirnu-
lants, but 1t would greatly increase the
difficulties of law enforcement through
the reopening of breweries and the
saloon or its counterpart.
THE Senator from MARYLAND. Mr..
Bruce. presented the only proposal for
amending the eighteenth amendment.
His proposal would give to Congress
exclusive power, with such enforce
nent aid as might be lent by the States
and be acceptedby Congress, to reeu.
late, but not to prohibit or unreason-
ably restrict the manufacture and sale
OF intoxicating liquors. This would be
complete surrender Of the police pow.
ers OF the States over the subject of
Intoxicating liquors to the Federal
Government and the legislative au-
thority OF Congress would have to be
exercised to-. promote the sale of
liquors. never to prohibit or unreason.
ably restrict it.
This proposal is In direct conflict
with the view taken by the Governor
or MARYLAND. who insists upon States
rights"
Every objection now made to the
amendment was voiced against local
option legislation, the speaker said,
adding that when the amendment was
adopted IS per cent Of the territory of
The United States was mo license" and
; mat 6S per cent Of the people lived In
that territory.
The present issue is greater than
the liquor traffic." he added. "It is q
question, can democracy succeed? Are
we a people incapable of sell. govern.
ment! Shall we abandon a great ex.
pertinent at the insistence Of appetite
and avarice?"