Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1910-08-24
INCREASED DRINKING

According TO figures sent out from
the headquarters of the Associated Pro-
bfbitlon press there has been consid-
cradle increase in the consumption OF
liquor IN this country during the fiscal
wear ending June 30. 1910 The Increase
has been steady since July, 1909 when
the consumption Of spirits was e6l.e22
GALLONS. and OF beer, 17,o6i barrels to
ai2s. $50 gallons Of spirits. and S29o'S
barrels Of beer in June, this year
Tho official figures relative to the In
s,rnal revenue receipts tell a similar
tale.
sThe internal revenue received by the
WAITED states from alcoholic liquors
during these twelve months of 1910 ms
cal wear ending June 30. l9lO), totaleu
exactly sgOS 60i, 50O.0S as compared WIN
s192. 1924 4i554 for the twelve months OF
the preceding year lending June So'
1900
"rhls means that the internal revenue
for the twelve months of 1910 Increased
Sie 2T7 OS4 So or more than eight per
cent Increase over the receipts for the
full period OF 1909
..The internal revenue figures also
show that the liquor consumption IN
creased during the twelve months or
the fscal year 1910, not less than nv
637 $50 gallons Of which l2,Ootblo gal-
ions we're Of spirits and whisky. while
tn. remainder sSS3O,2ZO conslsteu OF
malt liquors
.'The American Grocer IN it's estimate
az the drink bill reckons the retail cost
OF domestic distilled spirits at $500 per
gallon and that of domestic malt
liquors at 30 cents per gallon.
"On this basis the Increased cost or
alcoholic LIQUOR for the twelve months
OF 1910 as compared with the fun per
Tod Of the fiscal year ending June 3d.
1909 Is si09 1853. 100 The increase OF beer
20 tho nation Is S49.3i5. ITO and Of spirits
SEQ. 03s ObO but this total OF SlOe8bSleo
does not include the items OF imported,
distilled and malt liquors and Of domes-
tic and imported wines (which usually
comprise about ten per cent of the to-
tai drink bib.
Every indication therefore. points to
a record of increased liquor consunp-
ton which will wipe out more than 40
thirds of the entire shrinkage ofe%he
two years preceding the fiscal year
isio'
II would seem that the agitation for
temperance would be in vain. but IT
should be remembered that tho pre-
vious year was one of panic and dull
times. With the return OF prosperity
more money has been wasted on drink.
An increased consumption does not nec-
essarily mean an increase in the num-
Der OF consumers; It may mean a larger
consumption by those who do drink
But II is undoubtedly true that even
in dry territories. made so by law. u
quantity of intoxicants IL consumed.
Generally the communities are cursed
with officials who stand i'm with the
liquor interests and who neglect to en-
force the laws. And for that reason
the sale OF intoxicants goes on The
people are simply betrayed by their Of
flcials.
But. with every drawback the fact
remains that the closing Of the saloons
IN many places has been the means OF
saving husbands and fathers for their
families. II has helped men to pay
their bills and thus 10 further sound and
sane prosperity. And since this is the
fact the campaign is well worth while
II should be remembered that even the
voice crying in the wilderness may be
necessary preliminary 10 the drawing
near of the kingdom OF God