Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-19
The Reed-Borah Debate.

America TWO 1OTenlOSJ OTabOTS met
In an historic debate in the Senate yes
terday Senator William E. Borah of
idaho upheld the eighteenth amend
ment and declared that the prohibition
laws were the best method of dealing
with the liquor traffic that had yet been
devised. Senator James A. Reed of
Missouri demanded the repeal of the
eighteenth amendment and the Vol
stead act urging that prohibition never
could be enforced, that violations of the
liquor laws were breaking down respect
for all laws, and that the dry laws were
unjust and cruel.
The arguments on both sides were
presented with force and skill. 1t is
foregone conclusion, however, that
Reed disturbed the belief of the other
In the justice of the cause he repre-
Bented. 1t is doubtful, too, that this
debate will change the views of many
citizens of the United States with re-
gard to prohibition. Prohibition is
matter which leads to much debate 1t
Is not on record, however, that the vets
have been able to change the views of
drys or vice versa. In the United States
today few persons may still be said to
be open minded on this question. They
are dry or they are wet, and that is all
There is to it.
Senator Borah wisely said during his
address to the Senate yesterday that
there should always be opportunity for
THE fullest discussion of the prohibition
issue. He was willing to admit that
some better scheme for dealing with
she liquor traffic might be devised. But
none. he insisted, has yet been pre-
scented. He proposes to fight on for
prohibition and its enforcement until
some better plan is brought forth.
%resident-elect Herbert Hoover described
Exhibition a year ago as noble ex-
Triment that must be worked out con-
lstructively. Neither Senator Borah nor
GAdr. Hoover is blind to the fact that the
dry laws are violated with astonishing
Frequency and by the very men and
Hwonen, in many cases, who might be
Respected to stand on the side of law.
I'he psychology of the situation has been
m large measure with the vets. Until
akhis psychology suffers change, there
Rwiil be violations by the thousand Of
he liquor laws. 1t has become FASH
5onable to violate the Volstead laws.
When 1t becomes fashionable to obey
Them, the enforcement officers will have
less dificulty.
Dramatically Senator Reed presented
y picture of the evils which he traced to
khe enactment of the prohibition laws.
EThe drys, he insisted, had lost all sense
Of proportion and had become not only
unjust but cruel in their demands for
Prosecution of violators of law which
Ehe insisted millions of the people OPP
Eposed. The remedy which he urged was
she repeal of the eighteenth amend
Anent and return to States rights"
with each State permitted to deal with
Rhe liquor traffic as it saw fit.
In other days of the Republic the as
&ertion was made that the country
Aould not exist half slave and half free.
Ut is question how well the country
bould manage to get along half wet
md half dry Senator Borah, replying
Do the suggestion of Senator Reed,
bointed out that the right of dry States
10 be dry" before the adoption of Ma
Mion-wide prohibition, had never been
respected by the liquor interests, and
{ be declared such rights never would be
Inspected.
b prohibition in America has still long
!. EEay to travel The principle is written
Into the fundamental law of the land.
Eriie question OF enforcing the dry laws,
lawever. has become a vital and living
qsshe. The task which confronts the
kproming administration with regard to
! The matter of law enforcement is ire
nendous. 1t is even possible that the
D extent of its success in this matter may
measure the rise or fall Of the admin
vibration. One thing is certain: Thou
bAds of persons are disguised with the
a Situation which now exists. Many Of
h1em turn more strongly to prohibition
Awhile others demand its repeal. The
kountry faces an issue OF major i'm
portance.