MAKING THE OCEAN "DRY."

Dunstan Times, Issue 3137, 2 October 1922, Page 7

MAKING THE OCEAN "DRY."

(By J. W. T. Mason.)

Since the revelation that passenger vessels operated by the United States Government through the Shipping Board, are selling liquor on The high seas regardless of prohibition enforce*ment on land, public opinion throughout America- has declared overwhelmingly in favor of stopping the practice. Newspapers, without regard to politics, and without division on account of "wet" and "dry" differences, have condemned Chairman Laskcr, of the Shipping Board, who ordered the ships "wet" because of competition with foreign vessels. The "drys" want American ships "dry" on general principles; the "wets" are in favor of drought at sea because they believe it will make prohibition ridiculous and more unpopular; the neutrals want it to save America from the charge of hypocrisy. Chairman Lasker's plaint that the United States cannot compete in the world's passenger-carrying trade unless American ships sell liquor has had no effect on the discussion. Mr La.sker has lost his own influence by trying to make the issue one of profit's. Attorney-General Daugherty has begun hearing evidence in the case preparatory to rendering to President Harding a decision as to the constitutionality of selling liquor on the high seas under the American >fiag. If Mr Daugherty decides that the practice is unconstitutional, it will be stopped forthwith. If he judges that the American constitution does not run outside the three-mile limit, even on American ships, President Harding may nevertheless order Mr Lasher to close his bars, as a concession to public opinion. But should the President decide to make no move, Congress is certain to act. There is a large majority in Congress for "dry" enforcement. A short while ago Congress Avas urged to pass a law prohibiting all ships, of whatever nationality, using American ports if they sold intoxicantsBut the belief prevails that Congressional leaders do not desire to go to such a fanatical extreme, and if they did, the President would probably veto a Bill of this character, The fact that ship bars are kept closed within the three-mile limit has satisfied American public opinion up to the present. But there are certain "dry" advocates who may press this delicate issue in another way. The constitutional prohibition amendment not only prohibits the manufacture and sale lof intoxicants within the United States, but also the transportation of the offending beverages. There are legal authorities among the "drys" who contend that, the three-mile limit at sea must be construed as a part of the United States, and therefore liquor brought to American ports is being transported in America, and is unconstitutional. The Supreme Court itself must give the final decision in the matter.