LATEST CABEL NEWS

Hokitika Guardian, 24 April 1924, Page 2

LATEST CABEL NEWS

UijrrfULJAS AND K.Z. CAIILG ASSOCIATION’, PROHIBITION IN TJ.S.A. INSANITY AND CRIME INCREASES.

WASHINGTON. April 22

.! \y Mall, ihe noted physician and chairman of the Chicago Lunacy Commission and who is appearing before the committee considering the fnt_\nine identic hills to liberalise the prohibition law, declares that insanity in Chicago had increased by more, than fifteen fold since prohibition was introduced. He urged a modification of the Volstead Act saying: “In 1016 wo sent liineiy-eiglit alcoholic insanity cases to the phyehopathie_ hospital, whereas in 1022 we sent eleven hundred and last year fifteen hundred. Moreover, the alcoholic, formerly, was merely indolent and shiftless. Now with the poison lienor in his system lie becomes a murderer, a maniac, a wife heater or a train wrecker. I believe that light wines and beer will cure the situation. It is worth tiding, becausc-the present law must he changed.” A Federal judge, Mr Priest, of Missouri, declared prohibition was elfecteil by an extravagant expenditure of money to create public sentiment. He added:—“My experience on the bench convinces me the dry law, as written, can never he enforced. It has made America a nation of hypocrites. If we could obtain the vote of every citizen who violated the t olstead Act we could repeal it tomorrow.” LABOUR LEADER’S VIEWS. NEW YORK, April 22. Mr Sam Mumpers (President ol the American Labour Federation), appeared before a House of Representatives Judiciary Committee, at its initial hearing regarding the indentic.il bills to liberalise the Volstead law, which now number 49, said:—• “This law violates the spirit of American freedom. Only a return to a warming, palatable drink will bring content to the working classes. It is with a desire to avoid a calamity that I propose a modification of the \ distend Act. which has brought corruption in. the Government, and uisco-n----tent. death and crime among the people. The legalised sale of beer containing two and three-quarters per cent, of alcohol would transform us from a whisky to a beer-drinking people. Suggestions aiming at the repeal of the law are impracticable. 1 d olio propose to beat my head agui list a stono wall and think modification is sufficient.

Women composed more than half the audience at a gathering addressed by representatives of several organisations which have long opposed prohibition. It was noted, however, that the White Ribbon insignia ot the Women’s Christian Temperance Union lias appeared in the capital for the lirst time in five years. TAX ON DOWRIES. WASHINGTON, Feb. 2(5 In ihe House of Representatives yesterday Mr i’danton (Texas), declaring it was time to stop titled foreigners romping off with American beauties “to spend and dissipate their fortunes,” proposed a tax levy of 99 per cent on the dowry in such marriage's anil an inheritance tax of 75 per cent on any portion of an estate left to legatees living abroad. After a humorous debate, in which .Mr Boylau asked if Mr Blanton thought Congress could stop the course of true love, the amendment was defeated bv 177 to 22.

To put a stop to wealthy persons avoiding income tax' payments by making gifts to relatives and others the American House of Representatives yesterday voted for a tax on gifts ranging from 1 to 40 per cent.

AMERICAN ITEMS.