PROHIBITION IN AMERICA

Evening Post, Volume XCIX, Issue 70, 23 March 1920, Page 8

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA

TO THE: EDITOR. Sir,—On 17th March, you had a very interesting article in your paper, entitled "Proflibition in America." From the article it would seem as if the dry law was not being oarried out in the States, but when we remember that this is a description of things in 1919, not in 1920, it puts a different complexion on matters. This month I returned from a visit to the States, and. with your kind permission, would like to throw a little light on this subject. The war regulation for Prohibition was to be lifted on tlie signing of Peace (Peace not beingexpected so soon after their entry into the war), and the Permanent State Law to come into effect on . 16th January, 1920. There being only a few weeks between the signing of Peace and the date named, the authorities deemed .it not worth while to officially lift tho embargo on liquor, but they did not enforce it as before. As New Year's Eve approached,' it was understood by the public that no action would be taken if the law was infringed, with tho result that .some cities made a night of it. The daily papers next day wer& full of the proceedings of the night before. Some of them considered that the one night had done more to convert the wet party than the whole of the Prohibition propaganda. We spent New Year's Eve in Los Angeles, and joined in "the revelry. We did not see one person under the influence of drink. Good nature prevailed everywhere. I behevo since the 16th January the law has been strictly enforced. Such an old custom will naturally die hard, but it is wonderful how the people are settling down to the new order of things.—l am, etc., OBSERVER,