DIGESTING PROHIBITION

That inquisitive journal the Literary Digest, is now conducting a nationwide poll on Prohibition. The vote conducted two years ago on this subject proved little, since in offering three alternatives, repeal, modification, and enforcement, no one received a majority of votes. Though the earlier Prohibition poll was inconclusive, the presidential poll of 1928 proved to be surprisingly accurate. The present questionnaire, offering only two choices, will probably decide with equal exactitude the sentiment of the American voters. Th large number of replies already counted show a decided wet majority in every state. Although the method of choosing voters prevented a completely typical cross-section, this result, as in 1928 indicates the belief of the American people.

If a large majority for either side is reached in this poll the results may be decidedly beneficial. It covers a sufficiently large sector of the population to enable a politician to judge the trend of his constituents' convictions. To all except a few fanatics, Prohibition has, even in daily conversation, dwindled in importance. Could the candidates for office frankly discard this question, their election would be decided on more consequential issues of economic relief and international cooperation.