Plan

"We are imperilled by the widespread violation of the liquor law. . . .

"Big business leaders who have the largest stake in law observance publicly and privately violate this law and countenance its violation by others. Instead of using their wealth and influence to create public opinion demanding law enforcement, our business men of character and position are the chief support of the master criminal class, the bootlegger. . . ."

So said William Crapo Durant, stock-market student, motor manufacturer (Durant Motors, Inc.). He was not talking about himself and he felt he had a right to talk that way about other business leaders, because he was offering $25,000 for the best plan neatly typewritten in 2,000 words and submitted before December 1 to the prize committee on the 18th Amendment, room 2401 Fisk Building, New York City, a plan, "To make the 18th Amendment effective."

Friends of the 18th Amendment were vexed to see this suggestion that it is ineffective. Theorists, pedants, cranks, impecunious school teachers and hardboiled newspaper reporters began planning to win Mr. Durant's $25,000.