The Detroit times., 1910-11-14
Says PROHIBITION
WAVE HAS BEGUN
To RECEDE
E. W. Mason Admits Temperance
Cause Is Losing Ground. But Pre-
diets Big Revival in Movement
Within Few Years.
Consumption OF Liquor Greater Than
Ever, He Deeiares-Denial From
Supt. Morrow.

Tie prohibition wave is Feceding.
but d. viii be only a matter OF time
unti IL returns In another form.
said +. W. Mason. campaign manager
fOI the stare FsuhloluOn committee,
10 The Times
hat the temperance cause is los
ing ground, is evident from the re-
suits OF the recent election. ms drts
| having lost Florida Oregon and many
other states
II was apparent last spring that
the reaction had set in. when Illinois
and other states turned against local
option. States which IaQ been dry
for years went back into the wet
column. The temperance workers
have quit and Will now take a rest.
After they have rested while they
will jump back into the night with
renewed vigor. This has been the
history of every temperance move
ment since 1905, when the first move
ment for prohibition started. Al mat
time people signed a pledge 20 refrain
from the use OF liquor, except ON cleo
tons and holidays.
Different movements followed with
the result that the United States was
practically dry at one time. Michi-
gan Vas totally dry for about 20
years. from the early Dos. 10 the early
70's. Then the prohibition cause was
defeated by an unfair legislature The
vote showed that there was a major
ity OF I.l56 for the continuance OF
temperance In the state but the fs-
ures were handled in such a manner
that the state was declared wet FL
forts were made on the floor OF the
legislature 10 have the vote reviewed,
but the legislature overrUled the mo-
ton The Prohibtionists We're pre-
pared TO show that in Gogebic county
there were over 600 more votes cast
on the matter OF prohibition than
there were people in the county Yet,
in face OF this evidence, the legls-
lature refused TO act
Il am firmly CoUvir.ei that the
reaction has set in on lae most recent
movement. vet II is iaC, that We did
one and one-tenth per cent better IN
Michigan. this year than ever before.
However, there Is no denying the tact
that the wave is recedlng IN other parts
OF the Union But We are not discour-
aged In spite Of the showing, for We
expect such reactions. in view OF the
history of the movement. our candi-
date for mayor this year, George W.
Pierce. polled about COO votes more
than the normal showing. Yet he was
away behind the vote given DR.. Low
Their, the mayoral candidate TWO years
ago. Or. Lowther received over 2.%OP
votes. We shall keep right on at our
prohibition work. in spite of the con
ditions. and will be ready for the next
wave when il comes
In support OF his contention that
the prohibition wave is subsiding, Mr..
Mason stated that statistics showed
there was greater consumption ~
liquor last year in the United States
than ever before
MT Mason said IL would be diihCultf
to predict when and in whas form the |
next wave would come. lie rather
thinks. however. that IL might come
in 1915 and that there Will then lie /,
a nationwide movement for prohibl- |
ton. II Is possible. he thinks, that |
the Prohibition party Will be In posi- |
ton in 1916 10 control the Union DO |
litically; that the party's candidates /,
may he able 10 sweep the country so I
strong will the temperance sentiment I
be. he scarcely expects the Demo /
cratic or Republican parties TO show |
courage enough 10 incorporate a pro |
hibition plank i'm their platforms. Just |