The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-07-30
FALLACY OF THE VETS.
An Anti-P rohibitionist Assails an
Economic Argument.

T0 THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sfr. DO
not those who speak OF the value of
the liquor traffic as a means of pro-
viding revenue for the support of gov
eminent perceive that their argument
not only fails in any proper manner 10
meet the contentious of the prohibition
lists, but is essentially ~fallacious?
Even an opponent of prohibition may
protest against such illusory reason
ings. Little as the fanaticism of com
pulsory sdbriety Is disposed to recog-
nize any merit in the just representa-
lions of those holding contrary views,
Il Is clearly the duty of persons seek
Ing a rational solution OF the liquor
problem to maintain a higher ground
of discussion. cleared of the prejudicee
and sophistries of the xealot.
The economic argument Of the pro-
hibitionists Is SO sound that all reason
able persons should acknowledge frankly
the validity of II. and to do otherwise
is to deserve the accusation OF intellect
ual confusion or a want of sincerity. II
Is ~undeniable that money spent for
liquor ordinarily brings no return of
usefulness to the purchaser. SO far
as concerns the consumer himself the
sum is completely wasted. its expendi-
ture resulting merely in the gratifica-
ton Of an appetite. While incidentally
II is true, then. that the amount of the
tax serves the purpose of supporting
government, the remainder Of the cost
of the liquor is purely a drain on the
resources Of the individual. and thus
also the nation. without any useful re-
turn to either.
1t follows necessarily, therefore. that
the payment Of the tax IL accomplished
at the expense Of a very large additional
sum which otherwise might be employed
TO better advantage. The nation gem
orally, considered apart from the small
minority engaged In the liquor industry,
is impoverished by precisely the amount
OF the cost Of liquor over and above
the tax on II.
And since II must be granted that the
sale OF liquor does not benefit the pur-
chaser. 1t follows further that the capt.
tai and labor employed in the manufac-
ture and distribution OF liquor to that
extent are engaged In u~nproductive ef-
fort, and the nation would be the gamer
In wealth and prosperity were the same
money and energy devoted to uses that
are not burdened with this element OF
wastefulness.
1t Is not that we must conceive I'M
productive employment as necessarily
wrong. for "A very considerable proper
ton OF our efforts quite naturally and
properly are directed toward the graft
hcation of taste and the maintenance
VI ~ ihA r'lflN ny tf'-
homie standards, the argument that "a
suppression OF the liquor traffic would
permit the nation to meet he expenses
OF government BY other and less bur-
densome means is unassa!lable.
The still further economic waste due
to the inefficiency and dependence OF
those who use liquor habitually to cx-
cess Is beyond dispute. Not only do
those who abuse intoxicants spend USE
| lRkslk IN aNg4aZiNa np,npr,inn nf shalp
earnings. but in addition their earning
power ~ moro or less reduced and often
completely destroyed. The national loss,
therefore,, IL not confined to resources
squandered after their development, but
extends to a vaster sum. inclusive OF re-
sources never developed. And no man
can deny that to impoverish a nation
is to increase the burden of taxation.
In view Of these considerations. based
on a recognition OF the simplest OF eco
nomic principles, 1t IL futile TO oppose
prohibition on the ground OF the demands
OF national revenue. To do so is to
rely on false argument. and such a
course cannot but be an invitation of
defeat to those who are striving TO Sc
cure a solution Of the liquor problem
which shall le more just. more prac-
tiCable and more decently tolerant of
personal liberty than is the remedy of
the ~fanatical extremists.
The opponents Of prohibition occupy
a rational position too secure to need the
deceptive support OF fallacious reason
ing. In their better judgment the en-
tire theory of prohibition Is vicious. IL
is not true that the Use Of liquor in
itself is wrong only the abuse Of IT
is an evil. 1t liz not true that liquor
cannot be used without abuse millions
OF men AFFORD living proof that 1t can
be used temperately, even abstemiously.
The wrong lies wholly in the abuse. and
IN seeking Ia put "A stop to anything
more than the wrong Of the abuse pro-
hibition constitutes an absolute denial
and invasion of thu rights OF the indi-
vidual which no recognized principle OF
social authority can justify.
Many other equally sound arguments
are offered against prohibition. but this
one is fundamental and in the minds
OF those to whom the security Of free
dom remains the most sacred domestic
concern of government ii is conclusive,
In the judgment OF such persons. no
remedy for a common evil is d proper
one. either politically or morally re-
garded, II In its application 1t neces-
sarily must invade the accustomed lib
critics of a very large proportion of our
citizens. nor can IL be warranted as a
matter of public policy save as a tenn
porary measure OF national defence
From the broad viewpoint of social
equity no encroachment whatever on
personal freedom is tolerabls until II be-
comes possible clearly to define the wrong
and separate It from the right and con
tine the restriction and punishment def
nltely TO the act OF wrong.
So until our understanding of this
and other problems OF like nature shall
have advanced to the stage OF in,elli.
gence necessary for "A Just dlscrimlua,
ton OF the wrong from the right il mus
be the duty OF fair minded men and
women to insist that our communities
shall await a period OF further enlight.
enment. To do otherwise inevitably
is to do injustice. We cannot doubt tina,
If AZ a people We lose our regard FOL
justice We shall and the basis OF
civilization and even morality itself
and II we persist in weakening oui
standards Of liberty we shall become d
nation OF political slaves. For these
supreme reasons prohibition IL a create,
evil h a the one 1t seeks to destroy.
FRED METcALF.
PLAISFIEip, y. J., July 81.