PROHIBITION IN AMERICA.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 406, 18 May 1929, Page 10

PROHIBITION IN AMERICA.

One reads conflicting reports in newspapers about the great experiment that America is making. I question the many American tourists who visit me about it, and the majority have assured me that the experiment is working well. Among these visitors recently, there was an American authoress, Madame Sara M. Alger. She claimed to have worked in the cause of prohibition, and was an ardent reformer. I therefore asked her to put down in writing, as briefly as she could, her impressions of tlie experiment, which she very kindly did. Here are extracts from her letter: “In my interview this afternoon, you asked me to write you about our recent great victory for prohibition in the United States. It is with real pleasure I do this, for there are so many wild stories afloat about its being a failure, that I welcome the chance to put before you the facts. You have been a prohibitionist for many years like me. We have seen our highest hopes shattered many times, and have wondered if our dreams would ever come true. Mine were more than realised in the last election in America. As you know, we have two dominant parties the Republicans and the Democratic Party. Every four years sees them drawn up in battle royal over certain issues. In November, all other issues paled beside the great one of prohibition, which has been in force since 1919, and had reached a crisis; so many of the richer classes seemed to want their liquor back. Governor Alfred Smith, of New York State, who represented the “wets,” staked his hopes of election on the vote of the “wets,” and came out boldly and noisily as in favour of repeal of Prohibition laws. Mr Herbert Hoover, on the contrary, and his running mate, Senator Curtis, were equally strong in favour of the continuance of prohibition. the former saying it was a noble experiment. and the latter that he did not favour the repeal of the Volstead .Act. As you know, the victory for Prohibition and Mr Hoover was overwhelming, not only for the Presidency and Vice-Presidency, but for the Senate and Congress as well —eight wet Senators going down to defeat, and fourteen wet Congress-

men doing likewise. And here is where I, as an ardent woman suffragist, experienced great joy. For, as every newspaper truthfully declared: The Women did it! It was the quiet little home-body of the South who, contrary to all political expectations, deserted her party, the Democratic, that of Mr Smith, and voted for Mr Hoover. Not only did they vote for Mr Hoover, but they formed clubs and shamed manv of their menfolk into supporting him It was indeed, a victory for prohibition, a victory for vomer suffrage, but especially a great triumph of good over evil.” M. K. GANDHI. “Young India.”