The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-10-06
National Topics Interpreted

set many of the wiser heads TO think
ing about control of liquor sales which
thereafter will be legal. 1t is an inn
portant problem; it is recognized as
one that is exceedingly serious, and
those who are really seeking to per-
form the proper functions OF public
office in state and nation seem to be
moving in the right directions when
they give consideration to sales con-
troll and to minimizing admitted dam
gers in legal liquor sales.
The drys, of course, have not given
up. They think they still can block
repeal of the amendment There are
only half a dozen more states needed
on the affirmative side of the propo-
sition to get the amendment out of the
Constitution, however, and whenever
thirty-six states have expressed their
views, it is made to appear as unlikely
that a last-ditch move by the drys will
defeat the repeal program which Pres
ident Roosevelt pledged in advance of
his election.
Dry leaders here in Washington
have guarded their plans with the ut
most secrecy. They will not disclose
what they plan to do to hold up re-
peal Undoubtedly, it will include re-
sort to court proceedings designed to
prove that the votes already taken
have been void on some technical
ground. And I say it is possible they
may find such a basis, but inquiries
among nearly all of the recognized le-
gal authorities have failed to disclose
that any of them see how the drys can
be successful.
In view of reports from some dry
quarters that the method Of voting will
be attacked as Illegal, it might be of
interest to recall that United States
District Judge Clark Of New Jersey
held few years ago that the Eight
Constitution at all. He decided that
since the states had voted through
their legislatures rather than through
conventions, the amendment never had
been ratified. But the learned judge
was promptly overruled by the high
est tribunal, which determined that the
Constitution itself gave congress the
utmost freedom in choosing between
the ratification of a Constitutional
amendment by legislatures or by the
convention system. So it would seem.
according to legal experts. that the
drys have little hope in that direc-
ton.
1t is quite possible, Of course, that
some one or two of the states sched-
uled to vote between now and mid
December may upset the applicant by
voting for retention, instead of re-
peal, of the amendment. In which
event, there would be delay. Govern
ment officials tell me, however, that
repeal is almost certain.
So the question for consideration,
then. obviously is, how will its sale
be controlled to avoid the oId-time sa-
loon and its attendant evils?" In this
matter, the vets will go a long way
with the drys in seeing that restric-
tons are thrown about the sale Of
liquor that will remove some of the
curse that admittedly was tied up with
the corner saloon.
An important wet leader told me
that he wanted to prevent return of
the saloon and want
Thumbs DoUned to see some "sen-
ON Saloon sible means pro-
vided for distribu-
ton, purely as a matter of Iong-range
policy. If such action is not taken,
he said. there will be another fight
against prohibition staring the vets
in the face at once Since the vets
want repeal therefore, they can be
counted upon, generally speaking, to
propose as well as support, any sys-
tenn that will make for elimination of
those embarrassing features of liquor
sales that brought on prohibition in
the first place.
There are numerous schemes and
systems under discussion. Thus far,
none of them seems to have crystal
liZed into a program behind which a
majority of the strength can be mus
tered. Having seen prohibition fights
in numerous instances in congress, If
appears that there is likely to be much
hauling and filing in the state legis-
latures on the questions centerfng
around control. That statement. how
ever, must not be understood as apply
ing to the real leaders on either side
of the problem. The small fry and the
politicians who will want to feather
their own nests are the folks who are
going to make enactment of control
legislation difficult
And while we are discussing pro-
hibition repeal, it may be reported
that there has been a decided differ
ence of opinion as to how it will be-
come operative. Some argument has
been advanced that repeal will not be
operative, even after thirty-six states
have ratified the new amendment. until
the Department or State, here in Wash
ington. issues a proclamation to that
effect Others have claimed that ac-
ton by the thirty-sixth state automati-
caIly will relegate the Eighteenth
amendment into the limbo of things
that are gone but not forgotten.
The Department of State. aware of
the potential controversy has made
up its ponderous mind, am informed
While officials say there is no an
nouneement to make at this time. the
Information get is that the depart
ment has determined there must be a
proclamation issued when the neces-
sary number Of states have voted re-
peal. But it seems to be preparing to
ward on trouble by an arrangement
1rovifiro for tho date - tbe ,rr,,Ia