The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-06-19
Make a Strong Argument
Against Drinking Habit
SAYS DIR. A. MACDONALD
Plans for President Taft's TranscOnti-
mental Trip Are Being Made by
Government Ofiicials-He WIN
&c Economically.
why YOU SHOULDN'T DRINK.

Because - per cent OF the people
imprisoned in the whole United States
were committed for drunkenness,
Because the deaths from alcoholism in
the United States during 1907 averaged
&c for every 100000 population.
Because Belgium, which keeps a close
record of drinking, traces 25 TO ~ per
cent. of all criminal ofenses 10 alcohol.
Because alcoholism is increasing In the
United States
Because statistics from IA of the larg-
est nations show an average OF 4s.0 per
cent. of all crimes caused by drunken
ness; Is per cent of insanity, 1913 per
cent. Of all suicides, and 5Ss4 deaths per
million Of population-all traeeabe to
alcohol
Because a distinguished authority says
that Americans need stimulants least Of
any nation.
Washington. June statistics cal.
culated to make the most hardened
drunkard stop moment and reflect are
in the possession Of Dr. Arthur Mac
Donald Of this city--an expert psycholo-
gist and crimnologist They represent
the latest figures IN the grim struggle
with demon rum, and every figure has
a scientific value and a sociological sug-
gestion.
Americans" DR.. Macdonald said 10
an interviewer to-day. need stimulants
less perhaps than any other civilized peo-
pie, for the CLIMATE and life with its
changeableness, uncertainty and haste
are stimulants enough. 1t is generally
admitted that If YOU give whiskey to the
American Indians, they soon act like
crazy men. They are new soil and I'M
accustomed to acohol, just as they arc
to measles, which is quite fatal to them
On the other hand the latin races have
become so accustomed 10 the use Of al
cohol that drunkenness among them is
at a minimum. Now the American PEG.
pie seem TO stand about midway be-
tween the maximum susceptibility OF the
Indian and the minimum susceptibility
Of the Latins. The American il in a
dangerous position if he uses alcohol; for
experience seems to show that he is
more likely to lean towards the maxi
mum than the minimum. The so-called
moderate drinker is more or less
myth
DR.. MaeDonald's arralgnment Of King
Alcohol includes the latest census statis-
tics, showing that the percentage Of pris.
oners committed for drunkenness 10 the
whole United States in the last year was
23.2. The north Atlantic and the north
central states have the highest percent /
ages Of commitments 1928 and GIG;
and the south central and south Atlantic |
-3.s and so respeetively--th the lowest /
The western states have 6.3. Dr. Mac |
Donald, however, thinks these figures do
not represent the total on account or
leniency, and the fact that in many in |
stances fines, instead Of imprisonment, |
are imposed upon drunkards.
The alien population drink more than
the native Americans The per cent /
Of foreign born among prisoners com
mitted for drunkards IS 3266 per cent. /
more than that Of the natives. Natives /
Of Ireland. with 49S, Canada with the
same, Scotland with 428 and England
with 3s.5, furnish the highest percentage
Of drunkenness The lower are Mexico |
~ per cent, and Italy, 73- illustrating,
according to DR.. Macdonald, the superi I
GRITTY Of the Latins in resisting intern
perance.
In 1907, the Doctors tabulations show,
the number Of deaths from alcoholism
IN the United States for every 100000 /
Of population was 7.8; in the cities it
was 9.S against a. in rural districts,
These incidentally, DIR. Macdonald says,
are the highest within the last seven
years
While Rhode Island shows the highest
death rate from alcoholism 1915 per
100000 population New Hampshire and
Maine, with %. are the lowest. The
greatest proportion Of deaths from alco-
holism occur in persons from IS to 80
years Of age The deaths Of men largely
exceed those of women.
II would SEEM Dr. Macdonald stat.
III that the consumption Of alcoholic
thinks increases when times are pros
porous and decreases when times are
bad. In England statistics bear this out
n remarkable degree. In Scotland,
also, figures Indicate that oifenses for
vary with the amount Of en-
Dloymcnt available, especially for rough
abor. This suggests an important study
% find whether greater muscular fatigue
If itself tends to produce a desire for
alcohol ia Australia statistieians be-
ieve that those engaged ia strenuous
,allings are most likely to indulge in
thinking.
There is no doubt Of the close rela-
ion between drunkenness and crime 1t
las long been observed that on HOLIDAYS
II whenever alcohol is consumed more
han at other times, that certain crimes