Important Prohibition Item by S. B. Horton

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jun 18, 1914

Important Prohibition Item

By S. B. Horton

THE status of the prohibition question before Congress has received a sudden change. About six weeks ago the administration caucus of the House decided to postpone consideration of the Hobson amendment (H. R. 168) until the next session of Congress, which convenes the first Monday in December. The prohibition leaders, while desirous of immediate action, accepted the caucus decree, and for this reason sent out request that the petition work be held in abeyance for the present.

But within the last few days, pressure, presumably from the liquor forces, has been brought to bear to force a vote in the House of Representatives on the question. At this writing it is expected that a rule will come from the Committee on Rules, naming an early date in July for the consideration and disposal of the Hobson amendment. It will be incumbent upon all those who favor eliminating the liquor traffic to at once send in petitions and strong letters to members of Congress, asking for a favorable vote on the proposed amendment. A good, strong, respectful letter to individual members of Congress will do as much as petition blanks containing a few names, and perhaps accomplish more. However, the petition work should not be discarded. It is to be hoped that our churches and leaders throughout the country will give this matter prompt attention. Church officers and leaders should address letters to the respective members representing the districts in which the writers are located.

S. B. HORTON.