The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-07-14
By BRUCE CATION

BY BRUCE CATION
Whether or not the end of prohibit
ton as a national policy is actually
any nearer today than it was in 1920
is something that only time-and,
possibly, the coming election-can
tell.
One thing, though, is obvious: the
tactics Of both the vets and the drys
have changed profoundly in the last
few years.
AS has been seen, prohibition went
into effect with hardly a dissenting
vote. aside from the plaintive cries
OF the brewers and di5tillers' aSsocia-
tions. No prominent political leader
lifted up his voice to denounce it; no
party even suggested that the question
OF repeal or modification was worth
debating.
In 1924 there was no wet-dry issue
in the presidential campaign. The
way in which the Smith McAdoo CO.
horts cut one another's Threats at
Madison Square Garden saw to that.
In 1928 both parties had dry plat
forms, but one candidate was general
ly recognized as dry while the other
was generally recognized as a wet.
Since then things have happened
fast. Witness the 1882 Democratic
and Republican platforms.
X X X
Wet Program Shaped
No longer are the vets simply de-
handing change. They are getting
down to cases now and offering spe-
cific suggestions as to the way in
which a change should be brought
about. They are actually basing their
policy on the assumption that some
thing is going to be done about prohi-
bition and that the chief problem now
is that of how and what.
At the same time, in some sections
OF the dry camp change in strategy
has become apparent.
Until very recently. no friend of
prohibition would consent to any pro-
posal that the amendment be submit
ted to any kind of vote.
Lately, however, many dry leaders
Though by no means all of them)
have frankly stated their desire to
have new vote on the subject.
Some of them. as devoutly in favor
of prohibition as ever, have urged that
national referendum On the ques-
ton be held so that it can be settled,
one way or another. for good. Conf
dent that a majority of the citizens
still are solid" on prohibition, they
are prepared to welcome test vote.
It is about the ways and means
Of holding such vote that much of
the discussion today is centering.
X X x
Procedure in Doubt
The most obvious way, perhaps, is
to have the vets try to get prohibition |
out of the constitution in the same
way that the drys got it in-by consti-
tutional amendment.
One school urges that Congress
simply pass and submit to the states
for ratification a straight-out repeal
If the 18th amendment. This de-
mand is contained in the Democratic
platform.
Advocates of this measure point
put that even if the amendment were
repealed, the old. pre-l918 state pro-
1ibition laws would remain in force.
In states which never went dry, the
Did license laws would remain. States
hat had voted dry before the adop-
ion of the 18th amendment would
still be dry. Furthermore, the Webb
Kenyon law would remain to prohibit
shipment of liquor from dry states
nto wet ones.
Another school insists that the 18th
cannot be repealed with
put a carefully thought out substitute
measure to take its place. This group
suggests that new amendment to
he constitution be submitted; one
hat wc..!d not only repeal the 18th
but that would also set
10 some new law to control the liquor
;raffic. This is the plan suggested
n the Republican platform.
This group, of course, has dozen
different factions. Some favor very
simple federal law that would provide
or state option. Others have elabor-
tie schemes for federal ownership or
ontrol of the liquor traffic through
stores, dispensaries and
vhat-not. Some have drawn up
opies Of Ontario's famous liquor law;
thers would have the federal law
more like Quebec's.
X Y X
Split on Method
The chief problem is the question,
low Is the job to be done?
The amendment was voted in in