Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-12

drunkenness and disorderly conduct were
more than four times as great during
that period as they have been since liquor
selling was stopped. 1t should also be
liant since the prohibition law was passed
than before. and arrest every intoxicated
man nowadays while formerly they were
accustomed TO be very lenient with the
long as they did not disturb the peace.
Importation of Liquor.
This shows that prohibition has been Q
success so far the lower classes of the
population. including the oisreputable ne
gro element. is concerned and the record
Of every city is similar to that Of Atlanta
But II is the almost unanimous testimony
that four times as much liquor Is con-
sumed in the homes OF the people OF At
lanta and other cities as vas the case
when the saloons were open. gentle
man who Is in a position to know tells
me that not less than 100000 a day Is
being spent by citizens of Georgia for
liquor that is shipped to them by express
from Baltimore. New York, Chattanooga
Louisville. Cincinnati and other cities:
and that the citizens or Atlanta alone are
spending $2O0OOO month in the same
way. Men who never thought of bringing
whisky into their homes. who only occa-
sionally took a drink at their clubs or at
some hotel bar. who never entered a sa-
loon In their lives. are now importing
whisky and other liquors by the case and
keep 1T in decanters on their sdeboards
for their own use and to treat their Wis
itorS.
Sideboard Habit Growing.
The habit is said to be growing. 1t 10
the fashion now for everybody to have
whisky in his house and to offer il to his
friends when they call 1t is also becom-
ing a custom for neighbors to exchange
visits to exchange drinks. which they
never thought OK doing until the prohibit
tloh law was passed In that way the con-
sumption OF liquor among the business
and professional men is very much greater
than 1t ever was before. This habit is
also extending to minors. 1t is asserted
that many young men who never thought
or drinking more than an occasional glass
now habitually keep liquor in their rooms
for their own use and to treat their
friends.
Under the license system it was possible
to prohibit the sale OF liquor to minors.
But any minor can send to Chattanoga
or Baltimore for a case OF whisky. and IL
has become the fashion to do SO. When
he gets 1t he feels 1t his duty to drink
1t up.
This practice. am told, is entirely new.
and is rapidly spreading among the best
families in Georgia. 1t cannot be pre-
vented so long as the law permits liquor
to be shipped into the state from outside
dealers. Several wholesale merchants who
formerly had establishments In Georgia
have moved across the borders and are
doing q larger trade by express than they
ever did directly.
Pending Bill Inadequate.
The bill that has been framed by the
United States Senate committee on Ju-
dietary to prohibit express companies
from doing an irregular business will not
meet the case at all, and the prohibition
lists in Georgia say that Congress might
as we'll leave the matter entirely alone
unless it can pass a law prohibiting inter-
state trade with individuals. That is said
The authorities declare that nothing can
be done to prevent any citizen of Atlanta
or Augusta or Savannah buying beer.
whisky. brandy or any other liquor In
Baltimore or Chattanooga and having 1t
delivered at his residence by express.
This being the case. many OF the wisest
men in the state. and those who are most
lieve it would be we'll to repeal the pro-
hibition law and enact some legislation
that will prevent this secret traffic by
express. They believe that is doing more
harm than was ever done by the saloons.
and is demoralizing the better classes or
the community.
Gov Smith does not agree with them.
therefore Little joe Brown will receive
the support Of all who advocate the re-
peal or modification Of the existing stat
ute.