The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-09-10

on request will not be published. Let
ters not exceeding 200 words will receive
preference.
Editor Tines-I notice that w. G.
Durant is offering $4,000 for the
best method to enforce the
Eighteenth Amendment.
OF course this is quite a problem.
Prohibition seems to be one Of the
paramount issues Of the day, and is
being discussed from many angles,
which makes it very confusing. I
believe that the Volstead law as it
stands is a hindrance to enforce
ment of the Eighteenth Amend
ment.
The Volstead law was made so
drastic that pure liquor could not
be obtained for medicine or other
legitimate purposes, even doctors
prescriptions for whisky for medical
purposes being ignored. Hence the
bootlegger grasped the idea of sub
shutting poisonous m o onshine
whisky. And thus the evil spread,
as there were millions of people
ready to buy this liquor, and even to
use it for medical purposes Ito their
regret).
And boys and girls in tneir teens
could procure this stuff and get
drunk on it, the like of which never
was known to exist before adoption
Of the Volstead law The prohibition
laws are violated so f1agrantly, and
by officials high in authority, that
strict enforcement seems impossible.
When a Governor and an at
torney general of State and two
circuit judges openly and adj
mittedly violate the law by pro-
curing whisky from bootleggers to
be used Gas they say), for medical
purposes, and never have been
brought to account for this violation
Of the law, how may the general
public be expected to view the pro-
hibition laws?
But if some poor fellow should by
prohibition snoopc-- be found to
have a half-pint Of whisky in his
home. he would be "pinched" and
sent to prison, and if he dare call
for justice, have the penalty
doubled.
The wave Of crime in this coun-
try seems to be on the increase, and
a great majority of these crimes
are committed under influence of
moonshine whisky. When arraigned,
the culprits plead drunkenness, not
knowing what they are doing.
I believe that if a referendum
vote Of all the electorate of the
several States were taken, that
great majority would favor amend
ment of the Eighteenth Amend
ment and repeal the Volstead law.
Then have the several States
devise laws to govern the man
ufacture and sale of intoxicating
liquor, defining its purpose and not
allowing it to be drunk upon the
premises where manufactured and
sold, and not allowed to be sold or
drunk in hotels, or other public |
places, and controlled by State
authority
This I believe would eliminate
the bootleg traff4c and crimes would |
be less frequent. And the law
should be so strict that no person |
under 81 years of age could pro-
cure liquor, and anyone who would |
purchase liquor for a minor, should !
be arrested, tried, and when found |
guilty should be punished by fine |
and imprisonment.
JOHN ROBBINS.
SIT F. Thirtv- Fifth ST
Editor The Times-If D. G.
Stephenson is well acquainted with
the Constitution of these good old |
United States, he knows he yet has !
one chance for freedom on Art. 8
of the amendments. If he can prove
he is being held in prison falsely
accused, if he can prove that he
has been subjected to cruel and I'M
usual punishments, then Mr..
Stephenson certainly has a hear
ing coming to him. Why not appeal /
his case to the United States Su-
preme Court?
Would not solitary confinement
be regarded as unusual" punish
ment? Isn't any prisoner within |
his constitutional rights when he de-
mands hearing and is u warden
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