WETS WIN PAPER POLL.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 456, 18 May 1932, Page 1

WETS WIN PAPER POLL.

“We Want Our Beer ” Slogan. VANCOUVER, May 6. The “ Imps of Hell ” have won a momentous fight 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. Anti-prohibitionists, 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 “ Literary Digest,” and 4,600,000 votes were recorded. Not only did 46 out of 48 States 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 “ wets ” won 60 per cent of the votes; to-day they have a 73 per cent vote. Intense interest was taken in the ballot, and parties actually canvassed for it as they would an election. Aeroplanes were used in the fight. One was plastered with signs, “We want beer,” and filled with pretty women. The “ drys ” came out with prettier women and larger signs, “We don’t want beer.”

Atlanta’s veteran Mayor, James L. Keys, was made a member of the 1 Imps of Hell,” a party that fought for the wet vote, and, of all places he denounced prohibition in the Sunday School. lie was asked to resign as a teacher. lie did so, and his class resigned with him. His slogan was: “We want our beer on the table—not under it.” “ Then,” he added, in an interview, “we will know that it is beer.”