The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1933-03-10
National Topics Interpreted

repeal resolution to
Long, Rocky Rcadt e states has
for Repeal brought enough of
reaction right now
to justify the assertion that prohibit
tion repeal still has a long way to
travel. And it looks like rocky road
to some of the unbiased observers.
Whether you are wet or whether you
are dry, this prohibition repeal battle
has an immensely practical side, and
it is that practical side which yet
must be met.
Specifically, it looks like repeal has
big edge. Its supporters and the
sage in the house and in the senate
believe there are SO states which, Civ
en- the opportunity for statewide ex-
preston, will vote to take the expert
ment out of the Constitution In 9th
er words, they still have the enthu-
siasm that caused repeal or submis-
sion proposals to be put into the party
platforms in the midsummer heat at
Chicago in 1882. The group that
forced the repeal proposal through
congress embraced many of the same
leaders as were in evidence in the
Democratic and Republican party con-
ventions, respectively. Now, however,
they have different question to han
die. It is the sober judgment of the
populace who are not carried away
by the mob psychology Of party con-
vention because they are now talking
it over in the quiet of their homes and
with their friends.
To get down to cases, the circum-
stance is simply this: very great
number of people are going to ask
themselves. if they have not already
done so, whether there can be a
means worked out to prevent return
Of the saloon. The most ardent vets
disavow any desire to have the saloon
again. They so declared in the de-
bate<On the repeal resolution. But it ap-
pears to some of the observers here
that wishing will not make it so.
To state the thing another way:
the repeal resolution could be talked
about In an academic way, the need
for elimination Of the speakeasies, for
taking the power of money out of the
hands of criminals, for accomplishing
more respect for law and order. These
needs were duly stressed, and there is
no doubt as to the value of the argu-
ment. But when the repeal had passed
congress and the question had been
put up to the states for ratification by
conventions, it appears that many per-
sons throughout the country suddenly
came to the realization that the states
were left with the job of regulating
the sale of the liquor.
Congress declined to put any pro-
vision in the repeal resolution that
prohibited the return of the saloon.
1t was content to include provision
which brings federal authority into
use to keep the wet states from ship
ping liquor into dry states. But that
was as far as it would go. Hence. the
problem Of regulating the sale Is
strictly up to the states themselves
Offhand, it is made to appear that
in a number of states there will be
enough dry sentiment to tie up with
those who don't want the saloon, to
force adoption of state regulations
against the public barroom. In 9th
ers, of course, that condition will not
exist and there will be the old-time
saloon on every corner of the street
intersections. In the third class of
states, there is no doubt at all what
will happen. Prohibition will con-
tinue in them.
have heard it said here by some
of the recognized vets that the wom-
en- constitute the problem of the anti
prohibition forces who are bent on
getting rid of prohibition. 1t will be
interesting to note their behavior in
this first test Of national problem
adapted locally.
What the strategy of the drys will
be is not yet quite clear. The as
sumption is they
Concentrates are going to con-
on Dry States centrate their fight.
mean by that the
drys are going to pick their spots be-
cause they recognize it takes only
thirteen states. no more, no less, to
block repeal.
If they go to bat in perhaps not
more than twenty states that have long
prohibition records, or where the dry
sentiment long has been prominent,
they can give the vets one of the
prettiest fights of modern politics.
The vets recognize the size of their
job. 1t is agreed by all observers
here that the vets are organized now
better than they have ever been. They
have men and women with brains, and
a very great deal of money. That
money will be spent for speakers, for
literature, for general campaign pur-
poses. }e
The drys, on the other hand, are
not equipped with money to any par
ticular extent. Nor is it believed that
they have leadership of the type of