ISLAM

SIEVES OF THE SEX 187
modify "the personal habits and customs of large
numbers" of Christian Americans. In a message to
Congress in December, 1922, President Harding was
constrained to observe that the enforcement of prohibition
was taking place under conditions "which
savour of a nation-wide scandal." He referred to
"the humiliation of the Government and the humiliation
of our people before the world." The unfortunate
result was due, he said, to "the the destructive
forces engaged in widespread violation, official
corruption and individual demoralization." According
to the Times : "Prohibition thus far has been
disruptive rather than a civilizing force, a summons
*to hypocracy and double-dealing rather than a call
to cleaner living." When two years ago, the boot-
moved under cover, he now plies his trade by
legger
day. And now, with the election of Mr. Roosevelt
to the Presidentship of the American Republic, prohibition
would go at once and perhaps for ever. We
are further told :
"Judges on the bench, officials of the Government
members of Congress and of the professions, merchants
of tried and unquestioned integrity to
few indeed of these does an evasion of the prohibition
law seem to appeal as repugnant to the
moral sense. The tea-pot never enjoyed such
favour in America as in England, but what place
it has taken by the cocktail shaker . . . There
can be little doubt that the number of women,
members of that class which should be the*