The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1915-03-11
W.; G. r. u. Notes

When the government of Russia an
nounced that it was going to resign
from the liquor business, practical
Americans naturally asked the ques.
ton, 'How are they going to make up
their revenue that was formerly Oh.
tained from the sale Of intoxicating
liquors? And so, for the satisfaction
of these practical Americans, repor-
ter was ssnt by the Saturday Evening
Post TO Russia TO find out. Whom
this question was put to the Minister
Of Finance he replied: THAT matter
IL largely taking care ofisself, forwe
find that we have it In the renewed
vigor and working capacity OF our
people. Before, when we derived our
revenue from vodka, ID was as though
we were forever drawing out the vital
ity of the Russian people. Now, at
the end OF two months of temperance,
we seem to be taking merely thetinter-
est on their stored up strength and re-
soursefslness.
"Whsn We sold vodka, the people
we're poor. They, stimulated thsm-
selves With an artinsiaI strengths to
work for few more kopeeks, With
which they bought more Of the fusltor
renewing the artificial strength. The
fuel Of course was vodka. Though
the money for the drink went into the
treasury. the human machine which
made the money, became weaker and
weaker. So the nation WAS reall y out
ting OF its revenue at the source.
when mobilization began the doc.
tsrs found enlarged hearts among the
recruits, and all sorts Of complaints
thnt are superinduaed by alcohol.
Now, at the end OF . very short per-
iod the new armies are of = different,
healthier ssrt of men. And what 10
the result to the government Iansn-
ctallyY There is money in the savings
banks. II the country Is a little
poorer, the, people are already good
deal richer; and how can country be
in bad way financially II its people
are not? II they are poor We can tax
them until we are weary, without re-
suits. II they are rieh we can levy on
them with indirect taxation; and that
is what we have already begun to do.
In the coal regions we have sent
thirty per cent of the male Inhabitants
to the war, and yet the output Of work
is not what twas before, but greater
by thirty per cent, because everybody
is sober. Heads OF concerns employ
ing labor have sent In reports of the
increased capacity Of their employees,
thus affording them larger incomes.
Tho reporter also interviewed pub
lio character, (among many othsrs),
who had been considered the heaviest
drinker In Moscow. He was working
in an electrical shop; and he said.
from behind the black grease that Gov
cred his weak face like a mask, II
could not give it up myself, but I'm
glad it's been taken away. bought
my youngest boy ovsrshoes last night.
| signed the paper which went to the
Csar asking that he should not sell
vodka any more"
There are scores of such stories, all
illustrative Of the same truth. For
the brains of the Russian people have
been deadened by their national drink.
Under its influence they never have
had a chance to advance, but in three
months, without liquor, they have
progressed noticeably and undoubt-
edly will continue in Advancement II
the poisonous vodka is denied them.
"In 1861 they were freed from serfdom.
After the Japanese war they were
freed in certain constitutional ways.
In the present war they have gained
mental freedom and their frst real
emancipation.