The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-03-17
"a Measure to Relieve Boot
leggers"
M E. Tracy in New York World

ASASoA oAA|
The new tax bill should be entitled
"A measure to relieve bootleggers"
An added levy on incomes, manu-
featured goods and amusements Is
made necessary by the fact that Id
uor pays nothing. Instead, liquor Is
permitted to finance the worst reign
Of racketeering, blackmail, extortion
and corrupt politics that ever al
flicted a civilized country.
Decent people, no matter how in
dustrious or hard pressed. are asked
to make greater sacrifices, while or
ganized thuggery grows richer and
richer Each gallon of lubricating oil
will contribute four cents to the gov
eminent. while each gallon Of hooch
contributes ten times as much to
laWlessneSs.
Dr. Carl j. Warden, of Columbia
university, is not extravagant in at
tributing the Lindbergh kidnapping to
the malicious influence of Volstead-
ism. Nothing has done so much to
teach the criminal element how to
prey OH peaceful and unsuspecting
people.
AS DR.. Warden points out, We didn't
know much about gangs and rackets,
until prohibition set the stage for
their profitable operation.
X X X
BY undertaking to purify the indi-
vidual through mass regulation, we
have only succeeded in making life
miserable and unsafe.
With the law-enforcing machine
tuned up to watch auto drivers, or
detect alcoholic breaths, the thief,
yegg and cutthroat have enjoyed free
range. and with huge rum rings to
back them up they have had ample
funds with which to buy protection.
Crime on the one hand, corruption
on the other; cities going bankrupt,
school teachers going unpaid; bust
ness down by one-third and taxes on
the increase, while beer barons take
a place among our most important
industrial leaders and become the ar
biters OF local politics in many Sec
tons.
X X X
| AASo1NCllU 41OOfCl 40 1CECO1 CCO dS ot4ll
cold toward dry referendum, chiefly
because he thinks it has no chance
for success
In his opinion, we are informed, nc
less than 13 states can be depended
on to stand by the Eighteenth amend
ment. That makes repeal or modi-
fication impossible. Nine of those
states are classified as Democratic
and that furnishes the Republicans
with an alibi for doing nothing.
The much touted non-partisan at
titude toward this high moral ques-
ton seems to have accomplished lit
tie. except to make us inarticulate.
Apparently no faction or party IL
this nation can function efficiently
except that of the criminals anc
racketeers. They have gained stead.
lily during the last II years.
X X X
There is storm brewing in this
country, and wise politicians vii
keep close watch Of its progress.
! The American people have stoo.
about all they can.
The new tax bill comes pretty neal
being that proverhial last straw.
| It Is sorry state Of affairs whel
people whose wages or incomes hav'
been greatly reduced must dig dowr
into their pockets for more cash be-
cause neither Of the political partie'
has courage enough to knock tn
main prop out from under 4 crime
epidemic.
II such a situation continues tn
people have but one choice; and tina
Is to wreck either the Democratic O
Republican party In order to max
room for = medium through whicl
they can expfeas themselves.
II This deadlock win not be tolerate
, much longer. The sentiment agains
prohibition has become too over
whelming to be denied . voice. Peo
pie are associating the noble expert
. Iment" too closely with most OF thei
present troubles not to insist tina
something more sensible be substi
tuted IL xAIl1