The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-02-25
Governor to Grant Liberty
as Soon as He Signs
Wright Repeal Bill.
BOOZE MEASURES PASS
Bone Dry Act Is Wiped Out;
Beer Control Draft
Also Approved.

Four nulured DOOtleggerS
and other prisoners sentenced
to state penal institutions
under the Indiana liquor law,
either will be pardoned or
paroled by Governor Paul V.
McNutt.
McNutt this afternoon said that
he would start machinery in opera
ton for the releases Immediately
after he signs the bill repeating the
Wright bone dry law. McNutt was
due to sign the repeal measure late
today
Release cases will be handled in
diyidually and as rapidly as trustees
of the several institutions can han
die the situation.
During the last few years. the
majority of the liquor law violators
were sentenced under the bone drv
law, which was more stringent than
the federal statute.
Would Be Political Prisoners
IF these men are kept in jail after
the Wright law is repealed. they
would be political prisoners, Nc
Mutt said.
The Wright law made purchasers
of liquor equally guilty with sellers.
The law, which prohibited the sale
of liquor even for medical purposes.
was conceded to be the toughest dry
law in the nation.
McNutt's announcement of pris-
oners' release came eighteen hours
after the Indiana senate had passed
the repeater and the booze control
law by heavy majority. The house
earlier had passed the measures by
outstanding majorities.
The Governors signature of the
bills was to follow minor corrections
by conference committees of the
assembly.
Both Houses at Work
Both houses were in session this
afternoon and it was expected that
late today, or the first of next week.
the senate would pass the conven-
ton measure for Indiana delegates
to express their views on eliminate
ing the national dry law.
First enthusiastic demonstration
OF the present session of the Indiana
senate marked the swift passage of
the beer control measure late Friday
afternoon by vote of 30 to Is.
Crowded galleries, on hand to wit
ness the effective revolt against the
states dry forces, applauded loudly
when the overwhelming vote was
announced.
Dry Orators Meet Silence
In sharp contrast with former
years, when dry orators received ac-
claim, the sentiment in the senate
chamber revealed a complete re-
versal Of public opinion as senators
with dry convictions spoke to silent,
though respectful, galleries.
Senator Jacob Weiss Dem, Indi-
anapolis), acting as senate manager
for the house bills, moved to sus-
penc the rules so that the beer con-
troll measure could be voted on be-
fore adjournment.
Weiss then yielded the floor to
Senator Fred A. Egan Dem. Gary),
who declared that despite the lack
OF a draught beer provision. his con-
stituency" wanted the measure and
would seek additional liberalizing
amendments two years from now"
Senator William d. Hardy Dem.
EVansville), was next in support,
saying that prohibition laws had
violated the rights of mankind and
that attempts to enforce the laws.
forced upon us by an organized mi
nority, have made the people rebel
against fanatical restrictions of hu-
man liberties"
Called Boon to Undertakes
Senator L. L. Shull rep, Sharps-
ville) opened the debate for the dry
members, calling attention to the
ease with which alcoholic drinks
could be sold under provisions Of
the act.
This law will be boon to
undertakers, doctors, and hospitals"
Shull said. Moreover it is pre-
mature, as congress has not yet
changed the Volstead law. Our
people are not all wet and the pro-
hibition forces in Indiana are work
ing as they never have before to de-
feat those in high places who
trample dry laws underfoot."
Climax of the dry arguments
came when Senator Elias c. Swihart
Dem, Elkhart), declared that no
law can be devised to control King
Alcohol" but that 1t is our duty
to make it easier to do right and
harder to do wrong"
Repeater Then Passes
Senator Anderson Ketchum Dem,
Greensburg), majority floor leader.
served notice on his colleagues that
time for action has arrived, as de-
cided by the Democratic victory last
November"
Weiss closed the debate by ex-
planning that the measure was for
the control of alcoholic drinks, that
it was expressly against the open
saloon, and that it was both a reg
ulatory and revenue enactment.
Immediately following the victory
on the beer control bill, Weiss seized
the chance to place the Wright law
repeater on its passage Again the
senate acted swiftly. and passing
the measure by vote Of "a to Is.