Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1932-10-06

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BY RADFoRp MoelN

Washington D. c., October 4.-Now
that all of the PRIMARIES for the nomi-
nation OF congressional candidates are
over the Vets and the Drys are be-
ginning to inquire into their attitudes
on the question of repeal of the Eigh :
teenth Amendment and the Volstead
Act
Nearly 100 percent of the democra-
TIC congressional nominees are listed
here as being as wet as their party
platform. which calls for unqualified
repeal Of the Eighteenth Amendment
A pretty high proportion of the repub-
hcan candidates, however, are regarded
as Drys by preference, though more
han majority are said to have ex-
pressed themselves in favor of modi-
fication of prohibition along the lines
OF the republican platform.
Nobody can foretell as yet when the
| proposed modification of the Eigh-
teenth Amendment will be submitted
to the people of the various states for
action. There is still possible doubt
that three-quarters of the states will
go wet when this referendum takes
place. But one thing SENS reasonably
certain. That is that there will be a
vigorous attempt made, as soon as
congress meets again in December, to
amend the Volstead Act TO legalize
percent beer.
Favoring 4To Beer
The present prohibition law declares
beer of more than one-half of one
percent alcohol to be Intoxicating The
old fashioned beer that used to be
sold SO freely in prohibition days
contained about 7i2 percent of alcohol.
A great deal of the so-called beer that
is being sold in speakeasies today con-
tains alcohol up to 20 percent. There
isn't any question about 20 percent
beer being Intoxicating
But very strong showing will be
made to prove that percent beer is
amount of beer that an ordinary in |
dividual can drink at one time. and /
the brewery interests are very hope
full that they can get this percentage
OF beer legalized.
In that case, however, they do no.
anticipate the return of the saloon.
Plans are all completed for the pro-
duction Of bottled beer to be sold
mainly in drug stores, over the soda
or delivered by grocers at
residences. The price to the consumer
dependent upon the tax imposed, will
be from fifteen cents a bot
lie upward How much effect the legal
zing of percent beer would have
upon the whole prohibition agitation is
mother question, however.
Legislation Program
Regardless of the outcome Of the
election, programs of legislation for
lext winter are beginning to take
shape, since it will be the same con-
,ress up to next March that sat last
winter and right up at the top of the
ist of new revenue measures is the
General sales tax.
The state of Mississippi has now had
more than six months experience with {
his tax, which every consumer pays ]
5 he spends his money 1t has caused l
o excitement of any kind in Mlssis- |
lppi. Everybody has taken to it kindly, {
nd there are no reports of unwilling {
CcS w Pdy Liz tdAs ~ ~ Gio0dAhiE
mple revenue for the state. 3
Congressional leaders of both parties !
re said now to have come fully around
!, the idea that the sales tax on ma !
onal scale is the soundest and least !
method of raising funds !
,r the conduct of the government that !
as yet been proposed.
Transportation r
Unquestionably, there will be strong
fort made at the next session to put h
] interstate means OF transportation c
lder the jurisdiction Of the Interstate
Commission. This is es-
acially designed to bring the bus and
uck lines, which operate on the pub
, highways, under the sa1ne sort of !,
'ntrol that the government exercises q
'er the railroads. n
At present the independent highway "
les are completely under individual m
ate control, while trucks and buses a,
,erated by the railroads themselves 81
I've to be sanctioned by the Commits "
IN. One hope of the railroads is that
ey may obtain control of the bus and r
uck situation and SO recover some of i
c heavy losses which this new form
transportation has cost them. Il
The whole tendency Of the times is j,
r greater unification and more com s.
etc federal control over transporta-
IN. Ia
A Tactful Retreat p
What might have been serious stu .. u