South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-07-20


great would be the disaster that general
prohibition would entail. There is moth.
ing lnsthe past by which to accurately gauge 1t
but we do have certain statistics Of the people
employed and money invested in the liquor
business from which 70 forecast results.
II nationwide prohibition came. the present
business depression would be but small one
30 comparison with It Unemployment In the
Industries directly and indirectly affected would
be greater, beyond doubt, than We have ever
rsen IN this country.
There has been some attempt among Pro
hibitionists TO liken the present movement to
that against slavery. There is this essential
difference. from a financial standpoint between
the slavery ana the prohibition movements that
must be kept in mind. The abolition of slav.
cry, while 1t worked change in the economic
conditions OF the laborers, making them free
men instead OF slaves. did not wipe out a
whole their employers There was just as
much work to be done when slaves set
free as when that great change was first pro-
posed.
With the Prohibition movement Il is an en-.
tirely different matter. Not only Is the coun.
trys fifth largest industry 10 be destroyed
bodily its assets TO be wiped out or deprecated
TO a fearful extent its employers and employees
thrown out OF occupation, forced TO seek other
lines OF Industry and compete with those al.
ready there employed. but at the same time
one-third OF the total revenues Of the National
Government are 10 be given up. and the other
industries OF the country must shoulder this
great annual tax Of onefourth OF a billion dol
lars and must do while absorbing the unem-
ployed labor OF the industry wiped out and
competing with the employers and employees OF
that industry who seek other avenues for the
investment of what capital they may have LETT
after they see their physical assets put upon
the auction block and the good will OF their
business ruthlessiy destroyed
Put as briefly as possible, the different effects
OF nationwide prohibition may be stated as
follows:
Abolition OF business representing capitali.
Eation estimated at from $4,000. 100000 to ST.
900 0O0, 900.
Absolute loss OF a large proportion OF the
assets of this industry and tremendous depre-
citation in value OF the remainder.
Closing UP Of over 2,4OO plants manufacturing
distilled, malt and ynous liquors, having
capital. by the 1909 census. Of 1891 900 OOO pur.
chasing raw materials valued at $169,OOO.OOO
annually and turning out a product valued at
over $500 900 900 annually.
Closing up Of over 100000 retail LIQUOR estao-
ishments with an investment running up into
many millions OF dollars.
Bankruptcy for thousands OF these manu-
facturers wholesalers and retailers who will
find themselves facing a tremendous loss on
property the value OF which Is either wiped
out or greatly deprecated and large proper
ton Of whose debtors In the same line of bust
ness viii be unable to meet bills due.
Switching OF thousands OF these dealers TO
other lines OF industry where they will come
into competition with their brains and what Is
left OF their capital with manufacturers and
merchants already IN those fields.
Loss 10 railroads of the country Of revenue
on traffic running up into millions of dollars,
netting them a considerable percentage of their
income from freight. According TO the United
States Statistical Abstract for 1913. the total
movement Of manufactures Of the wine. whis-
key and beer industries In 1912 amounted TO
over 100000 tons, 2l5 per cent Of the
total traffic of all manufacturing industries OF
the country This does not take into considera
ton the shipment OF grain and other raw ma
terials to the distilleries. breweries and wine
ries nor does IL take cognizance OF by-products
like dried feed which, when shipped away
represents from 20 to 20 per cent OF the bulk
OF the grain going 70 these plants; nor does II
take notice Of shipments between wholesalers
and retailers and retail dealers and customers
Loss OF billions Of dollars TO wholesale gro
GERS, hotel owners. restaurant keepers, drug
gists. both wholesale and retail, most Of whom
ordinarily are not classed by the public with
tie liquor industries