Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-12

guard law observance through regular
channels, and that regular safety groups
Of men and women serve without com
penSation and be recognized and ap'
proved by the Government"
Before the Introduction OF the
Greed" friends Of prohibition placed
before the committee the view that the
womanhood of America was solid In
support of the eighteenth amendment
and was prepared to combat moves
looking toward its repeal.
Near the outset the group Of women
were given authority 70 present theiI
prepared testimony without interrupt
q sharp verbal clash precipitated by
wet members who sought to croSs-ex-
anime. The committee, however, by 9
viva voce vote deferred interrogation
until the women had concluded the
statements they had drafted.
The witnesses argued that the vets
had failed to provide . workable
solution" in the event the dry statutes
were repealed. Further, they contendeo,
| the i-prohibitionistS had shifted re-
| SponSibility in the regard by saying
| they left the solution up to Congress.
The women took the stand in rapid
order. They supported their case by
presenting statements from Mrs. Henry
Ford and Mrs. Thomas A. Edison. Both
the Detroit manufacturer and the m
ventor have been recorded IS favoring
retention Of the eighteenth amendment
and its supporting laws.
IT stand for the law that has proved
q blessing for one station In life and
would be an equal blessing to those
enjoying greater privileges in this world
II they would give the law a fair
chance" Mrs. Edison wrote.
st am heartily in favor of the eight
zenith amendment without modification"
Mrs. Ford's statement read. 1T is a
law of the United States and should
be observed by all of us. In my opin-
ion it has been of untold benefit to
the women as well Is men of our coun-
try in improved living conditions and q
more prosperous Nation"
Drawn From Wide Field.
The woman witnesses were drawn
from a wide field. Some were promi-
nent in club and social circles while
others spoke as chairmen Of nationally
known women'S organizations.
Mrs. Vic Donahey, wife of the former
Governor Of Ohio: Mrs. Orrin r. Judd,
president OF the Council Of Women for
Home Missions; Mrs. Jesse w. Nichol-
son Of Chevy Chase, Nd, president Of
the National Woman's Democratic Law
Enforcement League, and Mrs, John r,
Sippel Of Baltimore, president Of the
General Federation of Women's Clubs,
were among those recorded among sup
porters of the dry law.
Mrs. Sippel said she had been threat
ened with bodily harm If she took the
witness chair In support Of the eight
zenith amendment, but appeared just
the same. Mrs. Nicholson testified she
had no objection to those seeking change
In the law, but denounced any effort 20
seek a change by notification.
Mrs. Peabody Tells Of Fight.
Mrs. Peabody explained that her
organization was afnliated with organ
izations having an aggregate member
ship Of 100000.
These great organizations, her
statement said, "have stood In support
Of the Constitution and its laws for
eight years-Since I922-when organized
opposition began. They concentrate
efforts on the eighteenth amendment.
opponents Of prohibition among
women do not ring true In statements
regarding their sudden discovery of the
she continued, "and their inconsistent
demand that It therefore be restored to
legal status. Youth has not changed
essentially. We have always had fam.
| ing youth, the flame increased by
alcohol. Today we have Q new tyne,
flying youth-the finest yet and most
likely TO dispense with alcoholic stimu-
lants,"
The gTay-haired grandmother, who Is
Is prominently known on Beacon Hill
as IN her Beverly home, said the battle
battle"
THE normal woman" she asserted,
mot the subnormal or neurotic type,
knows alcohol to be q matchmaking
drug which wrecks body, soul and mind,
as dangerous as opium 70 the individual
more dangerous to the family and
community"
The advocates Of personal liberty, she
said, did not rebel against prohibition
OF opium, but "the alcoholic faint from
past generations persists In rebellion
alcoholic trafflc.
Here are 100000 women pledged
70 loyal service Of this Government.
They hold convictions and conventions
and instead Of depending on the Ratchet
Of pre-prohibition days to enforce Law
they use their ballots to secure loyal
representatives. Women win cheerfully
grant TO men management Of the tariff,
finances, problems Of transportation,
L
Of women 10 control the alcohol power"
Wish Amendment Carried Out.
Mrs. Sippel's statment said:
1.-THE General Federation Is an organi-
Zation Of 14,500 clubs in 2,S00 Of the
5000 counties of this country" she said
and am expressing the will of this
group when say they wish the
eighteenth amendment carried out"
The federation had gone on record
since 1918 IS fayoring prohibition, she
added, and explained that at later con-
ventions 1t had reiterated its stand.
Mrs. Peabody presented TO the COM
mittee statements from many prominent
women who favored the eighteenth
amendment. Among them were Repre-
sentative Ruth Bryan Owen, Democrat
| Florida; Mrs. Percy v. Pennybacker OF
Austin, Tex, former president of the
General Federation Of Women's Clubs,
and MRS. Carrie Chapman Gait, the
| New York suffragiSt.
Mrs. Gait said:
"I give my testimony that In my own
considerable circle of acquaintance
and friends, with two exceptions, have
! found no man, woman or child who
drinks, brews, Smuggles, purchases, sells
or distributes any form of alcoholic
| liquor. These enormous dry circles
| SLEetCI1ulS 4IO1H OCSdn 10 OCEAN, appear
to me to represent the climax Of normal
| civilized growth.
Those who still crave alcohol, must
acquire self.discipline before they at
tain the civilized standard. Therefore
for them prohibition Is necessary"
Mrs. Jesse Nicholson of Chevy Chase
Md, who said she represented 20o, 00C
Democratic women of the Nationa
Woman's Democratic Law Enforcement
1 II.
with persons, or groups, seeking By
lawful means and through orderly pro.
cedure to amend, modify or repeal the
Volstead act and the eighteenth amend