The Detroit times., 1911-02-13
.DRYs CLAIM LOCAL
! OPTION SPELLS
PROSPERITY
Point To Battle Greek, Where Bank
Deposits Are Increasing, Building
Booming, Arrests Decreasing and
General Tone of City Is High.
Ingham County Prosecutor Also Re-
ports Improvement in Conditions
Since Saloons Were Wiped Out.

In support OF the claims OF the Mich
gan Anti-Saloon league that local op-
ton makes for the betterment OF con-
ditions where IL Is In force, Supt. @.
w. Morrow, OF the league, has ar
ranged to furnish the public with
statements from a number OF persons
familiar with the situation In some OF
the leading counties where the TEN
perance plan has been tried during
the past year or two. One OF the
strongest reports has been prepared
by Attorney Louis +. Stewart, OF Bat
tie Greek, In Calhoun county. now
dry, Mr.. Stewart, In his statement.
says In part:
"A review Of the effects OF local op-
ton In Calhoun county. and espect
ally In Battle Creek, Is most gratify-
ing to It's advocates and defenders.
The evidence OF the available pubic
and private records leaves no room
for doubt or argument as to the de-
STABILITY OF itE continuance from the
industrial, business, economic and
moral standpoint.
ION April rs, 1909. two days be-
fore the saloons left Battle Greek,
our banks hao total deposits OF ST.
5S4,67333. On Nov. 10. 1910. after a
little more then Is months of local
prohibition, their total deposits were
$S,640, 455.2S, an increase OF $1,000
1875. Bank officials report that
numbers of new depositors are re-
eruited from the mechanics, shopmen
and others who have never before had
a bank account.
The passing OF the saloon left 40
vacant buildings in Battle Creeks bus
mess district A district slightly
larger than the former saloon district
and including it, In which IA new
stores were completed since the town
became dry contained only six va
cant stores Jan. 8, 1911. and only
three of those were desirable for any
decent business.
In 1908, the last wet year, 223
new buildings were constructed al
Al total cost, rs estimated by the city
engineers office, OF S5S3.100. During
the Arst- dry-year- tAe=same number
cf buildings was constructed, but at
a total estimated cost OF $S65,70O. In
the year Just closed, about the same
number was constructed, but not IN
Guiding additions u some OF the lead
ing manufacturing plants. No esti-
rate has, as yet, been made OF the
ccst OF the -911 building operations.
In addition 20 the above, during the
past two years, many new houses and
some stores end factories have been
built adjacent TO the city, outside the
city limits, and not counted In the en-
t.ineer's estimate The building pros
rects for 1911 are the brightest In
the history OF the city. There are now
IN process OF construction four stores
IN Main-st, an Elks' temple. plant for
the manufacture OF ice, and an addi-
ton to the Catholic school. Plans are
already made to construct a new city
detention hospital and a Masonic
temple. Besides this, c. w. Post has
announced that he will build additions
10 the Post Tavern, and the Post
block, new printing Office and heat
ing plant The cos. OF the Post build
ings alone, will exceed quarter OF a
million dollars.
"For the &c wet months preceding
May /, 1909, the number OF prisoners
committed to the county jail was 800.
For the 90 dry months since that
date. 469 prisoners have been SEN
fenced TO the same institution. OF the
go prisoners during the wet period.
Gss. were guilty OF offenses traceable
directly TO drink. During the dry
period only 362 were convicted OF
such offeIses.
ain the city of Battle Creek, dur
ing the 20 months preceding the local