“WETS” WIN POLL

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1932, Page 6

“WETS” WIN POLL

“WE WANT OUR BEER” SLOGAN

VANCOUVER, May 17

The “Imps of Hell'’ have won a momentous tight at a momentous time. With Presidential Conventions looming on the "battle front, they have pulled the unofficial liquor poll over the fence into the “wet” paddock. A nthprolii bit ion i sts, led by the “Imps,” won in 46 out of 48 States. (Now the query of all parties is whether the poll is worthy of official recognition. It was conducted by the "I/terary Digest,” and 4,600,000 votes were recorded. Not only did 46 out of 48 State-s favour repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment— which is another way of saying the repeal of prohibition—but there was a three to one majority against prohibition in 33 States. In a similar poll in 1922 the "wet s ” won 60 per cent, of the votes; to-dav they have 1 * 73 per cent. vote.

Intense interest was taken in the ballot, and parties actually canvassed for it as they would an eiVction. Aeroplanes were used in the light. One was plastered with signs, “We want beer,” and filled with pretty women. Tho Pdrys” came out with prettier women and larger signs, “We don f want beer.”

Atlanta’s veteran Mayor, .Tames b. Keys, was made a member ol the “Imps of Hell,’’ a party that lought for tho wet vote, and, of all places 1)0 denounced prohibition in the Sunday School. He was asked to resign as a teacher. Ho did so, and -his class resigned with him. His slogan was ' “We waul our b r on -tho table —not under it.” 'Then.” he added, in an interview, “we will know that it is beer ”