Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-06-02
FLYING SQUADRON"
DELIVERS SMASHING
BLOWS AT RUM EVIL
DIR. Charles M. Sheldon and
Daniel A. Polling, in
Speeches at Forres t
Theatre, Open 9-day
Campaign Here.

Smashing blows aimed directly at the
root Of the liquor evil in this country by
the famous "Flying Squadron OF
America" were delivered this afternoon
at public meeting In the Forrest
Theatre, which opened three-day cam
paign in this city. The realization OF
national prohibition in the near future
was prophesied. The secret alliance by
which the rum traf1ic has gained and
maintained its supremacy were exposed
and FIVE fundamental reasons for the
abolition Of the liquor traffic were out
lined
The leading speakers at the meeting
were DR.. Charles M. Sheldon, prom
inent author lecturer and minister, and
Daniel A. Polling, president associate OF
the Christian Endeavor Society OF
America. Magistrate Robert Carson pre-
sided and introduced the speakers.
Magistrate Carson said that his ex-
perience on the bench had made 1t GER
tain to him that the liquor evil was
the worst of the evils with which this
country had to deal
PROHIBITION POLITICAL ISSUE.
That prohibition is one Of the greatest
present political issues was affirmed by
both speakers. "If the political parties
OF this country do not get on the water
NdbOAlt lAGy Will ~ ullltA III uNtluANu
Doctor Sheldon.
Never again will a Congressman be
elected in the United States without de-
claring himself either for or against ma
tional prohibition. There never will be
another general election without the
recognition of prohibition as one of the
great issues before the people" said Mr..
Polling.
The reasons why national prohibition
must deal with the liquor traffic were out
lined by Doctor Sheldon, as follows:
First, 1t is national issue because
the Government draws revenue from the
traffic and protects 1t.
Second, the people are demanding ma
tional prohibition because the liquor
States do not protect their humanity
from the evil of the liquor traffic. Cities
like New York, Philadelphia, Boston, Chi
cago have so far taken no steps to re-
move the saloons with all their crime
producing and evil results. Humanity is
worth more than property. Humanity is
being destroyed by the saloon. If the
buildings in these cities were being de-
stroyed by gangs of lawless men, the peo-
pie would be very indignant and do
everything in their power to arrest and
punish these men. The liquor is de-
stroying that which is worth more than
all the property in these cities. If the
manity, the United States Government
ought to do 1t TOR them. This is not an
invasion of State rights, but a protection
of them.
Third. The prohibition States them
selves demand national prohibition to
protect their State rights; when the
Webb-Kenyon bill, the interstate COM
merce measure was passed by Congress
1t was a great protection to the State
rights of Kansas. All the prohibition
States are demanding national prohlbi-
tion, so that they may be protected from
the invasion of the liquor States.
Fourth. National prohibition Is de-
manded in the interest of uniformity of
legislation. What is a crime in 16 States
ought to be a crime in every other State.
II man makes and sells liquor in Kan
sas we put him in jail. If he makes and
sells liquor in New York and Pennsyl-
Vania the people send him to the Legis-
lature Such a condition of things is a
legal absurdity.
Fifth. The greatest need of national
prohibition is the need of humanity. II
people are worth more than property the
liquor traffic ought to be abolished. BY
the common consent of intelligent man
kind alcohol is now known to be the great
common destroyer. AS long as 1t is made
some one will want to sell 1t, and others
will want to drink it. The only real
TtIIleuy lOT the NCIlu - the COHlplel6 All
inhalation of the traffic by forbidding the
manufacture Of alcohol as beverage and
medicine"
WHY THE TRAFFIC EXISTS.
The five reasons which permit the ex-
istence of the liquor traffic, he said. are:
First. The drinking habit OF hu-
manity
Second. The abnormal profit from
the manufacture and sale OF liquor.
Third The falsehood, which has been
accepted as a truth, that alcohol is good
for a medicine, a beverage and even a
food.
Fourth. The falsehood. also accepted
as a truth, that the liquor traffic is a
necessary evil, and therefore a revenue
should be derived from II.
Fifth. The connection OF the liquor
traffic with politics."
Mr.. Polling dealt chiefly with the So
cal aspects of the liquor question The
cost of drink in suffering among the
women and children of the country, he
told with dramatic force, and with figures
and statistics he showed what could be
done for the working classes of Amer
lea with the money now expended for
intoxicating liquors.
Put the money invested In the liquor
traffic into 20 other honest enterprises
that supply the comforts and necessities
OF life and that same money will employ |
5, ,OO0. 900 more wage-earners than 1t now |
employs" said Mr.. Polling. "The saloon |