The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-01-16

VI Guy oNSAOll Cllde
modification or repeal.
Already more than fifteen
states have acted to repeal
enforcement S tatutes or
amendments to their state
constitutions which would
have blocked the return of
liquor within their borders.
Many more measures dealing
with prohibition are pending.
But in every state in which vets
already have not won a victory,
dry forces are mastering for a fin
ish fight, reports from state cap
itals Indicated
Drys Wage Battle
They are throwing every re-
source at their command into the
struggle to prevent possible open
ing of their states to the flow Of
liquor in the event Of national
1egalization.
In some states this dry influence
is felt so strongly that, as yet, no
attempts have been launched to
alter state laws.
In New York state, citadel of the
wet forces. Governor Herbert H.
Lehman has asked the legislature
to prepare for beer or repeal by
passage of measures for licensing
of the sale and distribution of
liquor.
Governor Lehman soon will APP
point commission to study the
problem. Former Governor Alfred
f. Smith has refused the chair
manship of this group.
Kansas Still Is Dry
California. which rescinde0 its
state prohibition statutes by a ref
erendum at the November election,
has pending a bill which would ask
congress for action on repeal OF the
eighteenth amendment.
Dry for many years, Kansas shows
no disposition to wander from the
trail blazed by Carrie Nation. Not
n single liquor measure was intro
duced during the first week OF the
present legislative session.
In Illinois, bills for repeal of the
state dry laws are on second read
ing in the house, and on third read
ing in the senate. Both major
parties are committed by platform
pledges to repeal
Other states, for the most part
fall into the same general grouping
as these three. They may be di-
vided into, three :. .claSSes-those
which already have repealed state
laws; those which have measures
to that end pending, and those
whose legislatures have not received
measures dealing with prohibition.
Repeal Passes Sixteen States
Among those which have repealed
state dry laws are: New York, New
Jersey, California, Arizona, Nevada,
wisconsin, Colorado, Michigan,
wyoming, Montana, Louisiana,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Con-
necticut, oregon and Washington.
Action taken in these states how
ever, differs widely. IN wyoming,
voters passed measure, by refer
endum, providing for automatic re-
peal Of the state laws when, and
if, national prohibitory acts are re-
pealed.
Michigan voters amended the
Constitution to eliminate its pro-
hibition section, but legislation to
repeal the statute against manu-
facture and sale of liquor is pend
ing
Before the Connecticut general
assembly is an unusual bill for a
state dispensary system of regu-
lated liquor stores in case Of repeal.
Maine to Vote on Beer
States in which liquor legislation
is pending include: Maine, Min
nesota, Missouri Idaho, South
arol i a. Ohio. Pennsylvania,
Nebraska, Indiana, New Mexico,
Illinois. Texas and New Hampshire
In most of these states multi
plicity of plans for changing the
state laws exists. Pennsylvania has
six bills pending in the state legis-
lature. Ohio has five measures
awaiting action.
Maine legislators will vote on a
bill to legalize manufacture and
sale of beer with alcoholic content
no greater than that fixed by the
national government as non-in-
toxicating.
States whose legislatures have
not vet received bills for repeal of
state enforcement acts include:
North Dakota, Arkansas, Missis-
sippi. Florida. Iowa, Utah, Okla
home. Kansas and Vermont.
Other Measures Prepared
In North Dakota. Arkansas and
Florida, bills aimed at the state dry
laws were being prepared for in
PRODUCTION.
Arkansas legislators voted down
resolution which would have urged
congress to submit repeal to the
states without delay. However, a
beer-wine bill was scheduled to be
introduced today.
mississippi. Iowa, Kansas and
utah are not expected to take any
action. Utahs dry status is re-
rarded as due to the Mormon in
fuence.
In Oklahoma there is talk Of a
move to repeal the state laws, but
1t is regarded as unlikely to succeed.