The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1930-01-31
Calm and Rational Considera.
ton Of Prohibition Problem
Urged in Congress
SEES NO NEED FOR CHANGES
Contends Home Consumption OF
Wine and Beers Allowed
e at
by volstead Act

washington, Jan. 3l.-1P-Repre-
sentative Fort, Republican, New Jer-
sey, today balanced the benefits Of
prohibition against its evils, declared
the former to be preponderant and
pleaded for a calm and rational con-
sideration Of the problem Of the dry
laws.
mo question which moves its parti-
sans to fanatical emotionism will ever
be solved by their efforts" he said in
q prepared address delivered in the
house, his first speech on this SUBJ
ject as q member Of congress. Until
q few days ago he was secretary OF
the Republican national committee.
Summing up conditions under the
prohibition laws, he found little need
for any change in the statutes as they
exist but suggested q Qualification OF
the Volstead Act as 1t applies to the
manufacture of wines and beer for
home consumption, which, he argued
Is permitted.
Opposed Art At First
Fort said he began the use OF In
toxicating beverages at the age Of
10, feeling it to be "a social neces-
sity," and abandoned 1t at the age Of
AZ, feeling its discontinuance as q
social duty" He asserted that he
was opposed to prohibition when the
eighteenth amendment was adopted,
but that the first few years Of prohi-
bition had convinced him 1t was OF
great value.
The "evils" Of prohibition, he said,
are "real.. important. 80. must be
checked" They must be checked, he
asserted, because the law under
which they occur is here to stay with
out substantial change"
He contrasted the numerical OPP
position to the eighteenth amend
ment in the house with the present
strength of the wet bloc. asserting
that while 128 voted against submis-
sion of the amendment to the states,
the vets now have 81 avowed men,
bers in their unofficial organization.
This circumstance he interpreted. as
q reflection Of popular sentiment In
the nations 435 congressional dis
trictS.
Created Industrial Eva
He praised prohibition rs having
| brought a new industrial era Of in
| creased efficiency and output.
He challenged the opponents Of
| prohibition to offer an alternative fol
the present system and analysed the
| possibilities of government selling, q:
he saw them.
EITHER we can hold down consump'
ton by high prices and make a vas
profit for the government" he said
"or we can hold down the profit b.
low prices at the risk Of increasing
consumption. I wonder which is tn
more repugnant thought. I'll. ven
ture that there aren't 10 men in tn.
house who like either alternative.
what then of reinstating the traf'
fic? Well, shall it be for drinking
on the premises? OF course not
that's the saloon again. But If that
is not to be-we'1l have to drink al
home, even though home drinking Il
one of the evils we decry In the pres.
ent system.
Finish Is The Same
'"Well, If we're to drink at home
! we can do that now-if W. want II
bad enough to make 1t. So why
! change the law at all unless, Of
course, we want hard liquor-and
none of the advocates of change
| that, do they? SO where do we fin
ish? Just where we started-wtth the
| eighteenth amendment and the Vol.
| stead Act.
Perhaps the act needs clarified:
| ton on the question Of homebrew-
| although nobody has even been con-
victed for making It for home use
But, otherwise, it seems to me pref
ty. clearly to fulfill the purposes Of
It's adoption and to satisfy the real
wishes Of the American people-for
the preservation Of heir industrial
system, their property and their
homes"