Evening star., 1932-11-08

Renewed conflict between wet and
dry forces is expected as Congress pre-
pare5 TO reaSsemble after the close OF
tle presidential campaign. Polls and
statements which have been prepared
furnish basis for arguments as to the
future col1rse of the legislative branch
of the National Government. There Is
a dispute as to whether tax on beer
would produce the large income on
which some reliance is placed, and as
to the prospect of a favorable vote IN
both Houses. Prospects for repeal also
are debated
Declaring that "the dream of the
absolute abolition of beverage alcohol,
as voiced in tine eighteenth amendment,
and the Volstead act. is now definitely
on the way out" the Roanoke World
News suggests that IAN era of legalizeo
beer. while continuing the prohibition
of spirits, might in itself be an expert
ment worth the making" but that paper
adds: How far it would meet the evils
of the present day, brought about by
Federal prohibition. could only be de-
termined by experimentation.
A legalized beer era might throw some
light on the kind Of restrictions best
suited to later adoption for restricting
the evils Of those liquors now more
generally sold. and which are every
where recognized to be more mton-
eating in fact"
"There is little doubt" thinks the
Charleston (W. Va) Daily Mail, that
the question of legalizing beer Will pc
come an immediate problem pelote
Congress" That paper points to posi-
bic changes in the situation, with the
statement: Should beer be legallzed, II
could be sold now in only or 10
States, but this list may be lengtheneo
by the forthcoming sessions CT state
legislatures which will consider the
repeal of State dry acts. Maryland
never had a State enforcement act and
would be free to take immediate ad-
vantage of the legalizing Of beer. New
York. Nevada. Montana and Wisconsin
have repealed their own dry laws
Similar action was taken by the Illinois
LEGISLATURE, but a veto defeated 1t. Sew
eral States are ready to hold referenoa
on the merits Of the eighteenth amend
ment, with prospects OF wet victories
reported to be bright"
Taking up the tax relief angle" the
Rutland Herald voices the belief that
lit would not be enough to relieve tne
depression materially, but 1t would
IelD. 4IldO RuPSA
portant. perhaps, it would form a basis
for calculating whether beer tplus llght
wines) would offer any solution OF the
prohibition question; whether, in fact.
men would be willing to give up drink
ing hard stuff and taper off on milder
LIQUORS Logically speaking, that might
be arrived at after the eighteenth
amendment is repealed, but as a stop
gap it might appease a good many who
are highly dissatisfied with the present
status. and who must realize that, at
best, it will take some time for the
several States to provide fer and con-
duct resubmission elections and con-
ventions."
The investment bankers, as quoted by
the Charlotte Observer. ARE strong
hackers of the modification plan that
would bring beer into taxation. They
want the Government to go into invest
ment in beer Their committee ap-
pointed to look into the possibilities
hunted up the statistics Of beer sales
in 1917, the last year of its legal exist
ence, and found that the consumption
Of the beverage in this country
amounted to 1856 900 900 gallons. Then
they figure that tax of 1912 cents q
gallon. the same that is levied in
Canada would bring in S235, 100000 a
year. The investment bankers, however,
would go further. They agree that