Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1914-03-11
National Prohibition and Conservation

4Ndtiottdt tfOhibftfoH ana tOHStFtatiof
In a recent issue of the Galveston
News occurs the following item:
Waste has been one of the worlds
chief curses. 1T has run on until a
number of the older countries are
worn out. Conservation is not only
a good policy; it is necessary policy
if the rapidly increasing human race
is to be saved from starvation"
The present age is one of business
development and progress. Ii is an
age which demands a constantly in
creasing measure Of efficiency in al
| lines of service. Less than the best
might have sufficed for other days, but
this age and the multiplied complexi-
ties of civilization require of men and
women the highest development OF
mind and body, and the systematic
application of certain standards by
which TO reckon the value Of all en-
deavor. Less than steady progress is
not to be tolerated, and the day is fast
coming when less than the highest de-
gree of efficiency on the part of the
employe will be sufficient for dismis-
sal.
1t is a well known fact that strong
drink stands preeminent as a promoter
of ineficiency and barrier to pro-
gress. Scientific investigation has
shown that very moderate drinking
lowers efficiency by from eight to for
~ per cent. Why not converse effic-
iency and elevate the standard of hui
man power by abolishing the manu-
facture and sale Of alcoholic drink
and eliminating its use among our
people.
1t has been ascertained also, that
the lowered efficiency of our people
caused by the use of alcoholic drinks
is responsible for a monetary loss to
our nation computed at seven billion
dollars. We may call ourselves a ma
ton of MASTERS. But when we reflect
that this immense sum is only frac-
ton of the vast total Of loss caused by
the consequences of using alcoholic
liquors we are appalled,. Civilization
should stand aghast at the thought
Of wasting sixteen billion dollars a
year in America for and because OF
strong drink. Why not apply the
conservation theory to this problem e?
The loss OF life caused by strong
drink is variously estimated, all the
way from $4,000 to 10000 a year in
most valuable of all earthly assets, by
that much is it necessary to conserve
life, fir If life be eliminated earthly
values are of no consequence. Primari-
~ il is life that gives value to every
thing. or what prodigai wastefulness
have we been guilty? What is the
monetary value to the commonwealth
OF one life? Can we measure in dollars
the value to the country OF one sober,
industrious patriotic citizen? His
worth Is inestimable! Why not seek
first, by all possible means, to con-
serve life? Why not seek to abolish TO
just as great an extent as is within our
power those things that are most de-
structive TO life, and cherish the
things that help to build UP a moral
humanity and offer inspiration toward
attaining the highest standard. not
only Of physical but OF intellectual and
moral life2
Why not apply the principle OF con-
servation to the human racer Alcohol
has been the great destroyer of the
race; let us destroy the destroyer and
give humanity a fair chance TO rise 20
the highest Standard standard set
by God for those He created in His
own image.