Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-15
JOHN BARLEYCORN Is
ON HIS LAST LEGS
Foe Of American Home Will Soon Be
Counted 0ut--The Brewers Prophecy
Their Own Downfall--A Look Five
Years Ahead.
Br Rer. CHAR1Es M. sHELpoN

Author Of "In His steps," Ele
THE end Of the American saloon is in
i sight. The issue Is the sharpest and
plainest Of all the issues in the country to-
day. American has more great problems to
the square foot than any other country In
the world. There are times when the pro-
fesslon Of reformer feels very much like say
ing THE world s out Of Joint. oh, cursed
! spite that ever was born to set It right"
But the fact remains that we are in this
| world to face its problems and work them
| out
Among the problems facing the American
people are, first, THE BIG CITY and all that
! goes with It, Men and women giving
themselves to the big city to make 1t livable.
Second, the problem of the FEDERATION
OF THE CHURCHES. That will be worked
out by series Of evolutionary steps. Third,
the problem of the Commercial Trust which
requires whole government to enact laws
preventing men from being too selfish.
Fourth, the problem Of Child Labor. Fifth,
the problem of settling the difficulties be-
tween the men of muscle and the men of
money. Sixth, the problem of Race Preju-
dice, which will be the next great question
the American people might settle after the
saloon has gone Seventh, the Drink Prob
lem.
Among all these problems, that of the
American saloon is in some respects the
greatest at the present time. 1t is simple
problem and not complex, as most Of the
others are There is only one issue, and that
Is the American home, the best thing we
have, over against the American saloon, the
worst thing we have Both of them cannot
live together on the soil of free people. The
American saloon Is going out, and the Ameri-
can home is coming in. The beginning of the
end Is in sight
Perhaps the most striking proof of this
prophecy is the changing attitude of business
Men in big cities who, five years ago, thought
the saloon was necessary for business now
repudlate 1t because they have learned the
facts concerning its economic waste. There
has never been any revenue from saloon
and in the nature of the case there never will
be. Business interests are fast finding this
out. Five years from now no business man
in any city in America will defend the Ameri-
can saloon for economic reasons.
Chased by Warships
AS little illustration may give this per-
sonal incident? On the 9Th of October left
Auckland, N. a.. on British liner bound for
Honolulu. Two Of the German cruisers that
have recently been sunk chased our steam
ship up through the Pacific and we landed in
British Columbia. Not an officer or a men,
DSA Va lhe SISW OH NHdI uOdI lOuCneQ q uTOp
of liquor during the entire trip of 10 days.
They sailed under strict orders from the
owner of that boat, who would not risk a
two million dollar Investment and a million !
dollars worth of goods in the hold in charge |
of any man, from the captain down. who put |
alcohol into his body. What that steamship |
company put down an imperative rule for |
its employees will be the recognized rule OF |
all business in a few short years.
Another indication OF the passing of the |
saloon and of the entire liquor traffic is seen |
in the changed attitude toward liquor as a |
medicine as a beverage. The other day. |
in the city of Philadelphia, between IL and
1890 noon counted an average of 15 men in
ten different saloons In one hotels bar
counted 70 men few minutes after 12 Most
Of these men appeared to be we'll dressed.
They looked like average business men. I
venture to predict that IL the American
saloon lasts five years more, no business man
will be found drinking in a hotel OF saloon,
because the great majority of them will ac-
cept the authoritative statements of science
that alcohol is a poisonous drug and no
human being can put It into his body with
out great danger
Hundreds of people who have been keeping
liquor in their houses for emergency are
throwing it away disseminating It's use.
great rapidity.
Rising Tide of Opposition
1t is time the American people understood,
In general. the rising tide of feeling over the
country for national prohibition Liquor
States, where it seems impossible for State
9rohibitory law to be enforced, are willing
10 turn over the matter TO the National Gov
Thousands Of men who will not
vote for State prohibition are ready at any
lime to vote for national prohibition
1t is time Uncle Sam went out OF business
rs partner OF John Bareycorn. The So
'alled revenue he gets from this partnership
S lost ten times over in the expenses caused
n the American saloon through crime, in
sanity, pauperism and the actual loss TO
abor OF years in a mans life Russia reck-
ms that she will save 100000 men to the
state in four years time, now that she has
'anished vodka.
The American saloon has proved itself TO
De the enemy OF the home, the school and
he business welfare of the people The brew
rs themselves prophesy their own downfall
Tohn Barleycorn is on his last legs and viii
oon be counted out.
BILLY" SUNDAY IN DIES MOINEs
70 tho Editor Of tho EvsRing Ledger