Evening star., 1932-03-15

4
ton of the country. The Senate stand.
over two to one against such proposal
representing States instead OF corgres-
sional districts.
"It was known in advance that the
vets could not command a majority
much less the required two-thirds vote
| to pass a repeal amendment to the
States.
THE whole maneuver was purely Tor
propaganda purposes, and the gesture
was possible only under a new general
| liberalization of House rules, which per-
mits one-third of its membership to Sc
cure a vote on a proposition, which
under the Constitution. would require
a two-thirds vote to pass.
Must Find New Method.
"Before the people consent to sub
mission of a repeal amendment they
will insist upon a fair trial and square
deal for prohibition which the vets have
steadfastly refused to accord 1t. The
campaign for repeal must be fair and
straightforward; repealists must tell
the public what method OF control they
proposed in place OF prohlblt1on; tney
must not denounce prohibition as re-
sponsible for the bootlegger-which II
is not-and at the same time encourage
law; they must show how conditions
can be improved by a return to any
form of governmental participation in
the liouor traffic, all methods of which
were fully tried and after long years OF
experience were discarded and replaced
by the present system, because Of their
abject failure.
'The vets will have a hard time
convincing the American people that
making Uncle Sam a national BAR
tender, or authorizing the States to act
in that capacity will tend to reduce
drinking or drunkenness which their
protestations so vehemently deplore.'
Henry Curran, president of the AsSo-
citation Against the Prohibition Amend
ment, commenting on the vote. said:
Congress is catching up with the
people. Two years ago there were n
liberal members in the House. Our estl-
mate for yesterdays test was 100, and
the vote is 1877. Next time We will put
it over. The people are still to for
throwing out national prohibition. Just
a little while longer, with some good
fighting on the way and Congress will
be 3 to too The majority always
rules in the end"
Surpassed Expectations.
The following statement was issued
by Rufus S. Lusk, executive vice COM
the Crusaders, an organization opposed
to prohibition:
This vote is the beginning Of the end
- the noble experiment. The most
nguine vets did not expect more than
ITS votes for the resolution. The
splendid discipline of the wet bloc was
evidenced by an almost 100 per cent
answer to the roll call.
THE repeal forces, now vigorously on
the offensive, are perfecting their or
ganizations each day. Congressman had
reason to know before this vote was
taken that they would be held to a
strict accountability on how they stood
on the real issue in American politics.
CRUSADER battalions in no uncertain
terms had made it clear that they
expected their representatives to vote
aye More than one member is sit
ting in Congress for the last time be-
cause he missed his chance to heed
the evident desire of the majority of
Americans to have the opportunity to
end national prohibition.
Crusaders know that this wet-and-
dry issue is not pingpong game or
knitting party, but a knockdown
and dragout fight and they intend to
fight until their goal is obtained.
CRUSADER battalions in over score
of States will start to work at once
to see that Congressman who voted
mo- yesterday will not come back to
the Capitol And next session will see
wet majority
Jubilant Over Victory.
Mrs. william Beverly Mason, chair
man Of the District of Columbia Di-
vision OF the Women's Organization for
National Prohibition Reform, speaking
for the national organization, said:
THE Women's Organization for Ma
tional Prohibition Reform is jubilant
over the victory for the cause of repeal
indicated by the vote on the Beck
Linthicum resolution in the House.
I'VE most heartily congratulate those
members who have seen the light
Those Congressman who continue tC
arrogate to themselves the right to de-
eide what the people want will receive
their answer from the women voters at
the polls in the next election"
Senator Bingham, Republican, Con-
necticut, expressed elation at the House
vote and announced he would press fol-
a Senate roll call on his measure tc
legaliZe per cent beer.
Senator Metcalf, Republican, Rhode
Island, chairman of the Manufacturers
Subcommittee considering the measure
said the group would make favorable
report on the bill this week. Senator
Bulkley, Democrat, Ohio, he indicated
would vote with him for the legislation
| in subcommittee. Senator Hatfield. Re-