Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1912-12-12
PRACTICAL PROHIBITION.


Legislation as a cure for intemper.
anee has proven a failure wherever it
has, been tried. A more practical kind
OF prohibition is being tried by the
PENNSYLVANIA railroad. a corporation
that treats its employees wen, stead
ily advances the deserving and pen.
sions the superanuated.
The heads of departments have
been instructed to find OFT which OF
the employees drink intoxioants dur.
ing working hours o, after work ng
hours"
The Pennsylvania does not regard
the man who drinks intoxicants as be-
ing a desirable employe in a posi-
ton involving responsibility. None of
the temperate drinkers have been
discharged, but number OF them
have been reduced from Positions of
/ responsibility to subordinate positions
in which mans potentislity for de
structiveness when stimulated by al
cohol is less than ii is in higher posi-
lions. Conductors detected tipping
have been reduced to .'trainmen."
number of men nave volunteered, in
order to save their positions, to ac-
company heads of departments to Of
fees OF Justices OF the Peace and
take an oath of abstinence.
A Pennsylvania official is quoted as
saying you cannot run trains safely
and drink intoxicants." He adds that
the company is not discharging any
men, but disciplining them.
While this may look like interter.
ence with private affairs Il is really a
measure for pubic safety and II IS
wholly warrantable. says the Courier.
Journal. 1t is of more Importance TO
prevent wrecks than TO avoid tread
ing upon toes. OF course, tie under
taking is only incidentally a prohibi-
ton measure. It is primarily q move,
ment to increase efficiency ard les
sen rick. Nevertheless it viii have a
better effect than legislation making
it unlawful to sell intoxicants. rho
Pennsylvania railroad is merely going
further in the direction Of requiring
abstinence as a qualification than 9th
er employers. The spirit of the times
in business is against intemperance-
1t is not as important, OF course, for
a salesman or solicitor to be an al
stainer as it is for a locomotive en-
gincer or train dispatcher. Neyerthe-
less e cheney is decreased by drink.
and the dependable man Is worth
more than the man who is not re
liable. Competition puts a premium
upon efficiency, if the desire for CO.
cheney has not made intempcrGnce
the rule it has at least made intern
peranee the exception. The amount of
alcohol consumed continues 10 in
crease with The increase c. popUla-
ton, but in all kinds OF business. and
in all professions tire man who does
not drink TO excess gets ahead of the
man who does
Railroad travel would be safer y il
were the rule Of all roads TO employ
none but abstainers. II it should be-
come the rule of one Of them paseon-
gers would feel more comfortable
when getting into their berths on
that line than ON Others. The infld-
ence Of the example provided would
! he reduced lar and wide. OF courss
any empIoye who did not wish to ride
on the water wagon world be fec TO
resign. The Independence. Of mis-
course might recommend hlm-to some
employers. provided ne was known to
re temperate although not an abstain.
er. But there are not great many
employers who would care TO give
responsible positions to men unwiis
ing TO let business interfere 1ith