Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-05-09
LIQUOR APPETITE
INCREASED BY WAR
Consumption of Spirits Rises
Enormously Since Outbreak
of Hostilities.
LESS BEER AND WINE USED
Difference Is Due Largely to
Higher Wages Paid to
Workmen.
-Ess BEER AND WINE USED
By PHILLIP EVERETT.

LONDON. May 8.-Great Britain was
drinking less liquor every year when
the war broke out. but since the con-
nict began there has been decrease
In the amount of beers consumed and
an increase in the amount Of spirits
The rise in the sale OF spirits has been
due principally to the high wages in
the hip-building and other industrial
areas.
Eight years ago there were $4,000
convictions for drunkenness in England
and Wales. With the population stead
lily increasing in numbers, the number
Of convictions had fallen to 900 in
the year before the war started
The effect OF the war on convictions
Is not obtainable in figures. but since
August 1, 1914, there has been a de-
crease In consumption Of 1000. 900 bar
rolls of beer. compared with the same
period OF 1s13-1914. an increase Of II, 900
gallons OF spirits and decrease of
nearly 100000 gallons of wine
An interesting map published hero
SHOWS the prevalence OF drunkenness
In different parts OF England and Wales.
The dark areas of hard drinking lie
in the center and north, especially the
latter. Here. it is to be noticed. the
consumption OF spirits is highest and
the beers drunk are heavier, I. e.. con-
tain moro alcohol. than in the south and
southeast.
SUNSHINE AND SOBRIETY
WALK HAND IN HAND
Drunkenness and drinking are COM
paratively noneNistent on the east and
south coasts; indeed in all areas in
which agriculture provides work for
most OF the people and where sunshine
Is greatest. Sunshine and sobriety go
hand In hand in the British Isles.
In these sunny areas light beers are
preferred to the heavier beers OF the
midlands, and the much heavier beers
of the north.
In the war districts of the lowlands
OF Scotland. as we'll as in the high
landi', whisky may we'll be accounted a
NATIONAL drink.
When In 1909 the tax on whisky was
appreciably increased, the number of
convictions for the year fell by 1929.
The effect was extraordinary in Scot
land where convictions in the towns
fell by 81 per cent. Until few months
ago the distilleries had not recovered
| from the blow dealt them in 1903, the
consumption OF whisky having steadily
| FALLEN until 1t reached 100000 gal
| Ions year. Apart from outbursts
which are spasmodic drunkenness and
drinking are steadily decreasing among
| all classes.
In Glasgow, where whisky Is the
drink. $1,000 persons were arrested in
1907 Tor drunkenness. 1,706 on Sunday,
which Is supposed to be closed day
for the public houses. The 1909 in
creased whisky duties caused Glasgow
to record 1000 fewer cases of drunken
ness year.
In making any sort OF comparison
between Scotland and England, how
ever. ono must not forget the difference
between the laws of the two countries.
The Glasgow police do not arrest a
drunken man II he can crawl home or
II his friends are willing to carry him
home.
According to the 1911 census, $4,000
persons are directly and indirectly en-
gagged in the United Kingdom LIQUOR
trade.