Evening star., 1932-12-13

Pickett II he did not recognize "that
there has been tremendous change"
in sentiment on prohibition.
Some" Pickett answered, "and I am
sorry to- say it,
let me tell you" Chindblom said
earnestly, that there has been a vast
change In sentiment On this question.
Many personal friends Of mine, form
erly supporters of prohibition, have
come to me demanding a change"
Pickett said there had been some
he argued that I'VE have awakened"
and said, you will see sentiment as
strong as ever"
Il have no doubt that temperance
forces will again assume the offensive,
but will that aggreSsiveness be in favor
of prohibition"
Reads Church Resolutions.
Bishop Cannon, following Pickett,
said any member OF the Methodist
Episcopal Church who uses "intoxicat-
ing liquors for beverage purposes is
violating his VOWS"
He read from resolutions opposing "a
change in the liquor laws" he said had
been adopted by the Kentucky and
Louisville conferences Of his church.
The sheaf of papers in his hand
trembled as he read resolution after
resolution opposing the "legalization OF
the liquor traffic"
Mind you these actions were taken
In the last 80 days" he said
He presented the actions CT the
Federal Council OF the Churches OF
Christ In America" which he said rep
resented about 25 per cent OF the
Protestant churches III America. He
then read a resolution adopted opposing
modification or repeal.
Il am not prepared to say Cannon
said, that there has been no chaEge
in sentiment on this question. But |
am prepared to say thsre has been no
change in the attitude OF the Methodlst
Episcopal Church South. and OF the
churches represented by the Federal
Council"
|. Questions Power of Congress.
He said Whiting Williams Of Cleve-
land, who had studied labor conditions
over a period Of years. had reported
THE volume of misery among the un-
employed and riotlng and unrest also
would be manifestly greater II IT were
not for prohibition"
williams. Cannon said, had come to
the conclusion that there was no COM
parison between the speakeasy and the
evils Of the old-tasfloned saloon.
The mad rush Of certain groups 10
legalze beer reminds one OF Nero fid-
ding while Rome burns" Bishop Can
non said 1T is generally admitted by
the men on the street that beer without
kick will not be sold
The bishop argued that Congress
is without power to fix the alcoholic
content" Of beverages and said drink
ing places would become centers OF vice.
Bishop Cannon said that TO modify
the Volstead act to legaliZe Pts or 80
per cent beer BY weight or 4 per cent
b. volume would greatly iacilitat~ nulli-
flcation ana greatly increase the diff
cult,es Of prchibi-ion enforcement.
III Is net within thp power Of Con-
gress to fix anv alcoholic content 1t may
desire" he said. Action taken is def
nitely limited BY the eighteenth amend
ment, which foyb!ds the traffic in in
toXicating liquor.
Says Claims Are Absurd.
The sale Of such beer, whether in
bottles or b. the glass. would again
leg8llze the breWeries. Which were al
ways utterly laWless. which would food
the country with hish-powe:ed beer.
which would sell directly 10 boot!eggers
to escape any Federal or Ss1te tax.
The absurd claims which have been
made as to TIE amount ol revenue the
Federal Government might obtain from
beer taxes reacnSd a climax III the
blatant editorial in Collier last Uess.
thai $1,000, 100000 could be expected
rs revenue from beer. 5uch Z ata;o-
ment shows a p.tifully ignorant and
fanatical state of mind.
lfll Sacr9d hv C~Ny-cCS IN
secure revenue from beer is a direct
attack upon the homes Ct iaboring men.
their wives and children and an at
tack upon the meat. shoe. hat. clothing.