Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1932-06-15
ROckfeller's Statement
Believed Strong Wet Asset

The statement of John D. Rookie
feiler, jr, that he and his father have
become convinced that the prohibition
amendment should be reSubmitted has
aroused national interest because of
the former strictly dry stand Of the
two men. While some press comments
dispute the correctness of the facts in
his statement that drinking has in
creased under prohibition. it is gen.
orally conceded that such a reversal
of opinion b. prohibitionist carries
q great deal of weight
"Originally a friend of the move
ment." says the Milwaukee Sentinel.
"he has been converted by observing
the experience of the Nation under
this costly folly. And that admission
carries much more weight than could
the uttCrance of any man who had
not been enlisted in the dry cause. "
His statement. as viewed BY the Ann
Arbor Daily News. deserves heed be-
cause il constitutes a clear-cut delinea-
ton of the attitude of many former
p-ohibtionistS who have become ants
in recent years. not because they have
become ford of liquor, but because they
believe the disadvantages of prohibit
ton Offset its advantages His letter
has a deep significance and is likely
10 nave pONeIlul Is Tic
view of the New York Times.
Not in recent years have the adj
vocates of a dry Nation received such
a heavy blow" AYERS the Oklahoma
City Oklahoman. pointing cut. however
ut is nothing but his opinion. Many
people will differ from him. Despite
his positive assertion, many still re-
main unconvinced that the amount of
LIQUOR consumed is increased by the
difficulty of obtaining it. Many citi-
zens WHO know the country's habits
lust as we'll as Rockefeller knows them
firmly believe that drinking has dimin-
ished. 1t is ell a matter OF opinion
and most opinions are colored by local
conditions
"Mr. Rockefeller, as the public is
aware according to the Roanoke
Times. "is not given to precipitate or
impulsive statements. He has at his
command probably the most extensive
and expert research organization in
the world He has not come out against
the eighteenth amendment. the country
can rest assured, except after careful
and intensive study of the facts and
figures bearing on the situation. His
! statement shows that. Undoubtedly
he has the requisite information about
the way prohibition has worked-or.
, rather, has not worked-to blow the
league out of the water II it pushes
him too closely. The league will be
we'll advised to let Mr.. Rockefeller
alone. 1t has troubles enough of its
own as it is"
The Davenport Democrat is convinced
that this leading Baptist and philan-
thropist has come reluctantly to his
decision" and feels that he offers "rea-
sons enough TO make an open-minded
friend Of temperance change his views.
The Escanaba Daily Press upholds the
view that ''the moral and social angles
of the prohibition question are of para
mount Importance"
The Charleston Is. c. Evening Post
holds that "the merit of the Rookie
,, Teller remuneration of national prohi-
bition because of the balance Of evil
1t has brought against any good it may
completeness" The Evening Post con-
cludes: There is confusion and chaos
Immediately an alternative to the
eighteenth amendment is proposed
There is nothing complex about the
| motion for its repeal. That would lay
the whole problem open to free dis
cussion and to trial of various systems
by the several States each according
to the persuasion Of its people The
eighteenth amendment was colossal
error. 1t ought to be renounced."
X y
Americans may not be a mercurial
people," says the Omaha World Herald
but their minds are open and subjec,
| to change with changing conditions
, They experimental nobly, as other peo-
' pies have done, in the worldwide war
against the evils Of strong drink. They
have stuck to prohibition after all Other
nations thatxesorted to it have aban.