The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1931-02-26
Editor of the Bismarck Tribune:

lSAAV Va tAbS
1 submit the following proposal to
amend and rcenact the eighteenth
amendment as a flexible. workable
law that would tighten the heavy
burden now imposed on the taxpayer,
obliterate the evils that exist under
the present law and promote a'truer
sense of temperance among a people
who tried prohibition and found it
wanting.
1T is hereb..' prohibited for any per-
son, corporation OF association after
the ratification of this article to man.
ufacture, offer for sale, or transport
Intoxicating liquor within, the i'm
portation thereof. into, or expectation
thereof, from the United States and
all territory subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, for beverage purposes; but,
the government of the United States
is hereby granted the sole right to
manufacture, distribute and sell in
toxicating liquor for medical and
beverage purposes, limited to indi-
viduals for home use only.
And further, that congress have
power to regulate the manufacture
and sale Of the same. levy an excise
tax On ali liQuof Sold, and fix a max
imum amount to be sold to any one
person at a time. The maximum
rate so set can never be raised nor
reduced more than so per cent except
in time Of war. This tax can never
be over 10 times the amount OF the
actual manufacturing cost of dis
titled liquor and not more than five
times the cost of fermented liquor;
but, any state may after the ratifica-
ton of this article by a majority vote
in an election prohibit the sale Of
intoxicating liquor within its own
boundary. Such a decision would be
binding on the government OF the
United States and this state. BY
such action. any state will forfeit its
share of this tax as collected by this
act.
It is further provided that this
question can not be put to a popular
vote in any state more than once In
six years.
The net revenue from all such tax
shall be set aside from all other
revenues. Ninety per cent so received
shall be apportioned among the sew
eral states according to the last
school census for the support Of the
common schools depending on public
tax. Schools to receive Of the same
must have temperance taught as a
compulsory subject. The other 10
per cent is to be used for the enforce
ment of this act and as congress
sees fit.
The following suggestions represent
nv idea of the manufacture and dis
tribution of alcoholic liquors under
this amendment. r.
To establish and create a national
liquor control board to be appointed
by the president of the United States
and by the consent OF the senate,
consisting of three members. one
appointed for two years, n APP
pointed for four years, and another
for a term Of six years, afterwards
filling any vacancies by appointments
for six years. I
This board is to have control and
supervision over all liquor manufac-
tured and sold within the nation, also
having power to lease or erect plants
to manufacture and distlll liquor, or
to let contract for the same to be
manufactured and distilled under
competitive bids. The lowest bidder
to furnish sufficient bonds for de-
livery only to government and OF
specified quality and standard. This
board is to set up machinery and ia
cilities for distribution and sale. The
country is to be divided into IL main
districts, each to have an inspector
appointed by the national board at
Washington, D. G. He is to have suf-
ficient deputies to control all liquor
sold and handled in his district. He
should be under bonds and RESPONSE
bic for all money collected in his dis
trict. This money must be turned