Captain Billy's Whiz Bang, March 1924 · page 44 of 71
Captain Billy's Whiz Bang #57 — page 44: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page discusses Prohibition-era politics. The main article references the **Volstead Act** (Prohibition law) and proposes modifying it to legalize light wines and beer, generating tax revenue to fund both a **soldiers' bonus** (post-WWI veterans' compensation) and tax cuts—specifically below Secretary of Treasury **Mellon's** $323 million proposal. The *Chicago Tribune* argues this compromise could satisfy both veteran advocates and those wanting lower taxes, while eliminating bootleggers and illegal "blind pig" bars. The piece mocks "fanatical drys" (Prohibition extremists) for prioritizing alcohol bans over veterans' justice. The final two short items are unrelated quips about changing social mores regarding marital fidelity and women's fashion—likely referencing the looser styles and morality of the "Roaring Twenties." The satire targets Prohibition's unpopularity and the false choice politicians presented between conflicting fiscal goals.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
Farmyard Fun and Filosophy 39 Singularly enough, most of these politicians seemed to think that they must choose one, not both of these proposals. But that distinguished newspaper, The Chicago Tribune, recently pointed out that no dilemma existed, that, in fact, the country might have both tax reduction and the bonus if it choose. “If the Volstead act were modified to permit the sale of light wines and beer,” said The Tribune, “it would provide a source of internal revenue which could not only finance the soldiers’ bonus but probably allow reduction of taxes at the same time even below $323,000,000 proposed by Mr. Mellon. A mild revenue tax upon legitimate wine and beer sales would be no burden upon any one, and legalized sale would put the bootlegger and the blind pig operator largely out of business. “Fanatical drys of course will continue to put their dryness above justice,” The Tribune continues. “But there is a large element in Congress and throughout the country which at heart is reasonable, and which could honestly unite on giving the veterans justice and giving the public beer. By doing so they would settle two issues which have occupied, irritated and demoralized governmental activity, to the disadvantage of constructive business, for five years.” * * * The other decade men found it a hardship being true to one woman; as understood now it has become a pleasure being true to three or four. * * * The new styles don’t afford such latitude but sure permit plenty of longitude.