“DRY" SENATOR’S VIEWS ON PROHIBITION

Evening Star, Issue 20255, 16 August 1929, Page 12

“DRY" SENATOR’S VIEWS ON PROHIBITION

“ IMPOSSIBLE TO ENFORCE Some amusement has been caused here (writes the New York correspondent of the London ‘Times,’, on June 28) by the piquant revelation that Senator Arthur R. Gould, the Republican who was in 1920 elected on the “ drv ” platform for Maine, the original Prohibitionist State and famous “drv” stronghold, has been a nonconformist to the Volstead Act, and frankly disbelieves in the present Prohibition laws. " This became kndwn in course ot a law-suit in St. Louis, brought against the West Coast Vineyards Company, of Cincinnati, by a Californian corporation which purveys a brand of unfermented grape juice, capable, under judicious treatment, of being transformed into a satisfying alcoholic beverage. To meet the defendants’ claim that the plaintiffs’ products spoiled easily, counsel for the latter filed a letter from th* “dry” Senator for Maine, who was one of their customers, to the effect that, having followed the company’s instruction, ho had had very fair results, and that the three gallons in each keg were improving every month. In closing his testimonial he addedAs you know, I como from a Prohibitionist State and am supposed to be a Prohibitionist, but I am about as loyal to tbs Prohibition element as some Southern Democrats are to the Democratic Party. While lam from a Prohibition State and find it is not policy to be outspoken as to my sentiments, :! do not mind telling you, arid the world, that T believe that license for light wines and beer would be an improvement upon tho present Prohibition law.” Senator Gould lias since'admitted the authorship of this letter, and even reiterated the views, expressed-'therein, declaring that he believed that it.was impossible ■ to enforce the Prohibitibii laiv