Evening star., 1932-01-26

elected. The propaganda and confusion
that we now have on this issue Would
be tremendously magnifed.
Opposed to Conflicts.
S. Two soyereignties would be given
control over the same subject matter
the power not to be exercised harmo-
niously or concurrently, as at present,
but conflicting. Instead OF the long
established principle of Article 6 OF the
Constitution-"that the Constitution ano
laws of the United States shall be su-
preme"-there would be complete re-
versal of that policy, and in case OF
conflict between State and Federal law,
the State law would be paramount. II
is proposed that we adopt as constl-
tutional policy the right OF state 70
nulIify a Federal law-the right to Sc
cede from the Federal policy by the
adoption of a State law in conflict
Herewith.
6. The concurrent power clause OF
the eighteenth amendment now assur-
inc the States of the cooperation OF
the Federal Government in enforcing
prohibition would be absolutely repealed
In order that States desiring the saloon
NAV have it, dry States are asked by
this resolution to surrender the guar
anteed cooperation of the Federal Gov
ernment and to assume the additional
burden of policing the liquor that would
fiow into them from wet States, with
out any assurance of cooperation from
the wet States or the Federal Govern
ment. Dry States had experience with
this program before national prohibi-
ton under the Webb Kenyon law. They
desire no return to 1t.
7. The amendment would increase
the difficulties of law enforcement by
adding to the national borders the
boundaries Of the 48 States, each having
a different system Of liquor legislation.
8. There would be nothing to pre-
vent the shipment Of liquors through
dry States. Prior to the adoption Of
the eighteenth amendment bootleggers
obtained liquors in saloon States, pur-
chased a railroad ticket through dry
State and when arrested in that State
would make the defense that they we're
engaged in interstate commerce. SINH
larry, the drivers of automobile caravans
OF liquor would invariably claim that
they were on a journey through the
State. The issue became one of fact in
the trial of cases in prohibition States.
These abuses and others would be re-
stored II this amendment were adopted.
Scores Divided Policy.
The dry States know by experience
that neither the wet States nor the Fed
eral Government, under such policy,
manifest any interest in protecting dry
territory from the invasion of liquor
dealers from wet territory. This
amendment would guarantee saloons In
wet territory, but make impossible
effective enforcement of a prohlbitory
law in dry State This Nation, under
modern conditions, can no more be part
wet and part dry than 1t could remain,
as Lincoln declared, half slave and half
free. The choice is not between ma
tional prohibition and home rule, but
between national prohibition and saloon
rule.
o. The home rule provided by this
amendment would mean that in States
dominated by the larger cities we
should have city rule rather than State
control. Every one familiar with the
breakdown of government in our
larger cities should hesitate to extend
that policy or increase the influence OF
the pOpulous wet cities where the liquor
interests were last intrenched.
The States had for 131 years every
right which this proposed amendment
would grant. Every conceivable form
of regulation was tried-low license,
high license, local option, beer and
wine as a means of promoting temper
ance, and State and Government con-
troll through the State and local dis
pensary plan. All of these failed. Pro-
hihition was the only plan that re-
ceived anything like a consensus of
opinion in its support The eighteenth
amendment is the outgrowth of half a
century of education and experience.