PROHIBITION COLUMN

Evening Star, Issue 19788, 11 February 1928, Page 22

PROHIBITION COLUMN

[Published by Arrangement with the United Temperance Reform Council.]

Tho liquor traffic is the wealthiest and the most elaborately organised monopoly in the wide world, carrying on its work wherever there are men and women to degrade and demoralise. Its success is the measure of its shame. Against this mighty force, which need never bo under-estimated, tho voluntary social, moral, and religious workers of the world unite. Not least among the successes of the past year is the determination of so many nations to secure for young people freedom from the thraldom of the liquor traffic. All Parliaments are not yet agreed upon the ago limit for their protection, but a great number have adopted tho principle in some practical way. Norway within recent months has denied the sale of distilled liquors and tho restaurant sale of other intoxicating liquors to persons under twenty-one, while Russia is credited with having prohibited the sale of all alcoholic liquors to persons of the same age.

A LEADING CATHOLIC AND “THE TRADE.”

Tho liquor traffic is a burden that is crushing industry and ruining a largo portion of our population. It takes from the people and gives nothing. There is not a charge that can bo laid at the door of landlordism that cannot with equal truth be proved against the liquor traffic. As the Irish bishops liave said, it has levelled more homes in Ireland than the crowbar brigade. Tho total rental of Ireland is about £12,0110,000; the liquor traffic swallows an equal amount, and produces a crop of crime, pauperism, and death. —J. H. Randal, in the ‘Catholic Columbian.’ PRESIDENT COOLIDGE UN PROHIBITION. in his address to Congress on December 0, 1927, President Coolidge, dealing with the question of Prohibition, stated: “Smuggling has been greatly cut down; ttus larger sources of supply for illegal sale have been checked, and by means of injunction and criminal prosecution the process of enforcement is being applied.” WORLD NOTES.

The economic effect of tho diversion of £401,0U0,000 a year spent on drink in Grout Britain to other channels of trade would increase Ihc demands for goods in tho homo market by nearly £1,000,000 a day.—The Bight Hon. Philip Snowden, 31. R. Sir W. Joynson Hicks, 31. P., Homo Secretary, slated in the British House of Commons on November 24, J 927, that during tho year ended October 41, 1927, twenty-two night clubs in London were closed as a result ol successful prosecutions by the police, and cor tain other clubs have also been closed. ■‘Prohibition,” says Dr F. B. Meyer after a tour of Ib,OOU miles through tho United States, “is a groat asset to the country’s welfare. The banks are full of money, almost every workman has Ids own automobile, and there lias been a large increase in homo happiness.” Dr Meyer speaks as one who has paid many visits to (he American people. it is reported in Hie Press ul: America that “ for the first time since the Volstead Act went into force in tho United States Halifax (Novi Scotia) Harbor was recently without a single mm ship riding upon its waters.” This is duo to the efforts of the Canadian Government to prevent, Canadian ports being used for nim-rminiiig. Complaining about the alleged loss of profits by tho brewers Sir W. \V. Butler chairman of Mitchells and Butlers Ltd. brewers states: “Notwithstanding tho huge decrease in the consumption of beer and spirits consumers have to spend £l5O. 1)00,000 a year more in consequence of the greatly increased taxation of alcoholic liquors.” 'the inference being, we presume, that the reduction of liquor taxes would increase tho profits of the hi ewers. At Bishop Stortford the British Women’s Total Abstinence Union engaged three empty shop windows ami arranged temperance tableaux—“ Why not save you beer money and have a room furnished like this?” Illustrating a tempting meal of several courses, with dishes of jelly and fruit equivalent fo the price of half a bottle of whisky. So enraged were the liquor people at this effective propaganda that in tho darkness they painted and tarred tho windows. Opposition is good for the propagandist! Tho oldest inebriates’ home in tho United States, having assets ol £40(1,000, has been compelled to close down because, ns Judge Green, the president, says: “Since Ihe adoption of Prohibition wo were losing oyer £2,7)00 per year.” Not a bad testiniony for Prohibition!

DELIBERATE MISR-EPR KSENTATfOiN BY LIQUOR INTERESTS. AVlien the J92f Prohibition vole was being taken in New Zealand, it was gaily announced that “ Colonel Butler, ” ol’ the Salvation Army r>l' New York,” had declared “Prohibition resulted in a terrible increase of vice and drunkenness.” This announcement brought an immediate, denial from the New Zealand Salvation Army Commissioner, who said that there was “ no such person as Colonel .Butler in the Salvation Army in Now York.” Tim Butler story, nevertheless, went, to the Press around the world as the, liquor interests desired it should. How swiftrunning is the pathway ot a, lie. In connection with .some local tempera neo effort in South Loudon in Brio, a clergyman was imposed upon by a letter purporting to come Irom “Archbishop Lloyd, of Chicago,” wherein it was said that “ Prohibition was an utter failure,” and was accountable for “an enormous amount of evil amongst the young people ol America.” As a, matter of fact, no such person as “ Archbishop Lloyd, of Chicago,” existed. For a time—long enough io do the required amount of liana—the liquor advocates repeated the story. A correspondent in the ‘South London Press’ made a complete exposure of the non-existent archbishop and the statements attributed to him, with the result that the “wet” propagandists locally have ceased to quote him. During the latter part of 1927, a report appeared in the London Press quoting “ Arcbbislmn Dobson, of Hie Episcopal Church, Uliio,” as having denounced “Prohibition as a joke.” The usual declarations about the evils flowing from tbo abolition of the liquor traffic followed. Inquiry showed that there is no such person as “ Archbishop Dobson ” in Ohio or elsewhere, for the simple reason that there arc no archbishops at all in the Episcopal Church in the United States. To further add to the discomfort of those who quoted him, the name Dobson docs not even appear in the list of bishops in America. Tbo whole story is a pure fabrication, and another attempt to impose upon the unwary. Let it be remembered that for every honest criticism made there are a hundred carefully worded statements going the rounds of the Press deliberately intended to deceive. Any adverse reports; regarding Prohibition should be carefully sifted. Wo say this because we have tested a great number of the “facts” that have been doing duty for truth, and found them to be absolutely incorrect.

U.S. ARMY AND NAVY SOBRIETY. The National Director of the United States W.C.T.U., Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Department, Miss Rebecca N. Rhoads, has sent out the following statement : ■“‘.Wet’ propaganda to the contrary

notwithstanding, the tacts bear out (he statement that the army efficiency of the United States of America shows such a remarkable improvement under Prohibition that their leading generals and 'others highest in command comment upon it with gratitude, appreciation, and 'absolute confirmation. Arrests for drinking are diminished to such a groat extent that frequently guard rooms are almost empty; the post hospitals likewise, ■ duo to the improvement in general health conditions. The enlisted men themselves attest to the benefits derived from Prohibition by their whole-hearted allcgiance-.to the law and the Constitution shown by the many thousands of them who voluntarily desire to show their colors hy pledge signing, abstinent living, and personal affirmation favorable to Prohibition."