Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1908-04-27
ANTI.PRoHIBrTION sIGNERs.
Saloon Control by State---St. Louis
business Men Indorse Regula-
tion TO Establish Responsibility of
the Proprietor.

Following is from the st. Louis
Globe Democrat. and is signed by
500 of the best business men of Sa.
Louis.)
A statement or petition against
prohibition in Missouri has, been
circulated among the business men
and other citizens of st. Louis. Fol-
lowing is a copy OF the document,
with names of the signers:
Agitation for sumptuary laws has,
in our opinion, gone so far that
general welfare demand an express
sion of individual opinion. Public
interest has been thoroughly aroused
and II is high time TO discriminate.
Advantageous results may be drawn
from these conditions, providing
this is done with due regard to pub
lie safety and without unnecessary
destruction.
We are heartily In favor OF reg
ulating the saloon Orderly propri-
etors welcome that course; no one
else should be. heard. We have no
pet theory to advance, but we insist
that the state must exercise general
control for the protection of the
public. In view of the confessedly
unsatisfactory state of the law, we
are prepared TO encourage any Intel
llgent legislation that Is based upon
actual experience at home or abroad.
We will support any plan that Is cal
oulated TO cut down disproportlon-
ate number OF saloons and to estab-
llsh the independence and the re-
sponsibil'ty OF the proprietor. The
a a. ~ nn1t-
tics. and any saloon keeper that can
not preserve good order must be put
out of business.
But we draw a broad distinction
between the regulation OF the saloon
and the prohibition of the brewery.
we are absolutely opposed to any
measure that has for It's purpose the
destruction of the brewing interests
of this state. As taxpayers we are
mindful of the tremendous contri-
button. running into many millions,
that is made by this industry TO the
support of our state. We know what
it would mean TO have this contribu-
tlon drawn from other sources. We
also know what II would mean TO
withdraw $4,500.000 annual reve-
nue. contributed from this state alone
20 the national government. We
know hoy to estimate the calamitous
effect upbn our city and state II this
one Industry were wiped out. The
OF good will would reach
even larger figure. The discharge
OF the wage earners woNld AFFECT at
least 10000 men, and the loss OF
support 10 at least $4,000 persons
dependent upon them. The destruc-
tiCn OF allied business would reach |
many more millions In value and
affect thousands upon thou
sands OF men now employed.
These breweries have been built
under the encouragement OF the
state: In large part by as enterpris- |
ing and public spirited men as have
contributed 30 the prosperity and |
good name OF this community Not
only do we object 20 see these In
terests destroyed as the result OF
husty action, but we condemn as
immoral ana outrageous the plan TO
ronfiscate without compensation |
and industries that have
been built M by the expenditure OF
50 much enterprise. ability and re-
sources; and We refuse 10 stand hy
and see them, without protest, sub
lected 20 the expense and emharrass-
ment Of ill-adyised attack. The
mere menace 20 this industry Is re-
tardlng our prosperity, The sue
,ess OF so inimical movement
would lay low whole sections Of orr
,ity.
Apart from these material con-
we have no confidence Ia
he success of prohibitorv measures,
We ~ fer TO profit by the experien-
,es OF other states that have paid
he price OF such experiments.
To reneat, it Is time 10 discrlm-
nate We are for every reform that
will control the saloon and protect
he public. We are opposed 20 every
measure that has nothing better tO
propose than destruction. with con-
fscation, chaos and lawlessness In
is wake.