PROHIBITION IN UNITED STATES

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 31, 31 October 1919, Page 7

PROHIBITION IN UNITED STATES

e ■ THE PRESIDENT'S VETO. Washington, Octpber 27. Tho Associated Press interprets President Wilson's veto as meaning that there will be a wet spell in the United States until national prohibition _ becomes effective under Constitutional amendment next January.

The ballot on President Wilson's veto was expected to be very close, the present industrial situation being a factor in tho decision. Several Senators declared that' it would be unwise to open tho saloons with strikes and riots threatening throughout the country. Tho ruling of the Department of Justice is that the war time ban cannot bo lifted till peace is ratified—Renter. President Wilson explains that ho vetoed tho Prohibition Enforcement Bill because of the. inclusion of clauses enforcing war-time prohibition. President Wilson contended that only those clauses based upon the Constitutional amendment ought to be included.—Aus.-N.Z, Cable Assn.

[The United Stales has two Federal prohibition enactments. In November, 1018, "war-time prohibition" was carried by Congress, as an aid to national efficiency in the war, and came into force on July 1, 1919. The provisions bringing this about, formed part of tho Agricultural Appropriation Bill. This prohibition is in force "until the conclusion of fhe present war and thereafter until :he 'termination of demobilisation." Prohibition has also been enacted by amendment of the Constitution. It cannot, be altered by either Congress or tho President, and can oJily be modified by tho same process as established it. The Enforcement Bill, which the President vetoed, and which' Congress has re-car-ried over tho veto, is designed to overcome various evasions which have been practised during the currency of wartime prohibition.]