AMERICAN PROHIBITION

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 75, 29 March 1926, Page 9

AMERICAN PROHIBITION

PROPOSAL IN SENATE

FOR NATIONAL „ REFERENDUM.

(United Press Association. —Copyright.) (Australian-New Zealand Cable Assn.) WASHINGTON, 26th March.

The first real offensive in the national campaign against Prohibition commenced with the introduction in the Senate by Senator Edge, "wet" leader, of a joint resolution calling for a national referendum on Prohibition in the Congressional election of 1928.

The resolution invited the individual States to conduct a referendum separately in connection with the elections to the senvety-first Congress. It is noteworthy, howover, that a Presidential election occurs at the same time. The resolution provides details regarding how the referendum should be held under the supervision of the PostmasterGeneral and the Secretary of Commerce. Tho question to bo to the voters would be as follow;— Shall Congress amend the National Prohibition Act so as to allow the manufacture, sale, transportation, and possession of beverages containing as great an amount of alcohol as is lawful under the Constitution, provido/l that such amendments shall not interfere with the constitutional powers of the several States to legislate with respect to intoxicating liqquors as each Sate may deem proper? lii a State where the Legislature or authorities had made no provision fir a referendum by. Ist July, 1928, the Post-master-General an 3 the Secretary of Commerce would be empowered to make arrangements for a referendum in that State. The resolution would authorise tho appropriation of a sufficient sum for the administration of the resolution as desired by the Secretary of the Treasury, who could reimburse States for any money spent in conducting the referendum.

Tho resolution must be adopted by both Senate and House before it becomes effective.