Vashon Island news-record. [volume] (Vashon, Wash.) 1919-1954, 1930-11-13
MANS DEPARTMENT

y 4 Il II - y Il y II
The threat Of the Woman's Chris
tian Temperance Union to start a
third party in the event both of the
old parties adopt a wet platform
brings out who was really behind the
movement which resulted In the
amendment Of the Constitution and
the enactment Of the volstead Law.
The statesmen who were active in
the prohibition movement were mere
figureheads or pawns responding TO
the dictates of the women.
Senator Jones of Washington, who
more than any other dry was re-
sponsible for the constitutional amend
ment, and Senator Shepherd, who
posed as the author of the amend
ment, have declared that they would
be guided by referendum on the
question from their states. But the
Women's Christian Temperance Union
and other dry organizations, have re-
fused to agree to abide by an express
ion from the sovereign citizens on the
question.
The militant dry women years ago
decided that as they were unable to
control the appeties of their menfolks,
to call upon first the states and after
wards the Federal Government to do
1t for them. They frequently suggest
ed that the Army and Navy be called
out, and, If necessary, that sentinel
should be placed upon every doorstep.
To be serious for moment, some
of the women had experiences with
alcohol consuming husbands that
would excuse them for going the limit.
But the women are not unit on
prohibition. If they were there would
be no hope for the wet forces Under
prohibition men have been doing most
of their drinking at home. Those who
patronize the speakeasies the women
folks have discovered, spend more
money for booze and come home in
worse condition than from the old
time saloon.
Others of the female sex who want
an occasional drink themselves have
attempted to solve the problem with
home-brew and bath-tub gin. This
has not worked out as we'll in great
many cases as was anticipated. It has
Uttered up their homes with wild
parties and the home-brew has in
creased their housekeeping duties.
They would prefer to have their men
do their drinking at the club and have
become tired of home brewing.
But for the total abstainer of the
female sex there is no compromise.
If the Republican party should declare
for modification or repeal, they pro-
pose to organize new party. They
propose to split the party that would
give them half a loaf and elect candi-
dates that would give them no dry
bread.
They did this. in New York when
Former Senator Wadsworth refused to
come out unreservedly for prohibition
and an extreme wet Senator was
elected. They are pursuing the same
policy in Illinois when one of their
sex, Mrs. Ruth Hanna Mccormick,
who is dry personally, declared she
would abide by referendum.
The militant dry women refuse to
support any program by which the
question would be submitted to vote
of the people because they realibe
that their sex is divided upon the wet
issue. If they were united on pro-
hibition as they were when the amend
ment was adopted they would shout
for nationwide referendum because
they know they could control the men
If they could present a solid front Of
women to the leaders of the parties.
After all, it will be the women, as
usual, who will decide whether pro-
hibition has been success or whether
it should be repealed. The men will
be the figureheads or pawns in the
game in fight over prohibition, just
as they were in the beginning when it
was adopted.