The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1915-07-17
By Joseph Debar

MO man can tell with certainty just how
~ great would be the disaster that general
prohibition would entail. There IL moth
ing In the past BY which to accurately gauge H.
but we do have certain statistics Of the people
employed and money invested IN the liquor
business from which to forecast results.
II nationwide prohibition came, the present
business depression would be but a small one
In comparison with H. Unemployment In the
industries directly and Indirectly affected would
be greater. beyond a doubt, than We have ever
seen In this country.
There has been some attempt among Pro
hibitionists TO liken the present movement 20
that against slavery. There liz this essential
difference. from a financial standpoint between
the slavery and the prohibition movements that
mus: be kept IN mind. The abolition OF slav-
cry. while It worked q change In the economic
= conditions OF tho iaborers. making them free
men instead OF slaves. did not wipe out as a
whole their employers. There was just as
much work 10 be done when slaves were set
free as when that great change was first pro-
posed
with the Prohibition movement II is an en-
tirey different matter. Not only Is the coun-
trys fifth largest industry to be destroyed
bodily Its assets to be wiped out or deprecated
20 a fearful extent. its employers and employees
thrown out OF occupation, forced 10 seek other
Tines OF industry and compete With those al
ready there employed. but at he same time
one-thrd OF the total revenues OF the National
Government are 20 be given up, and the other
industries OF the country must shoulder THIS
great annual tax OF OnefOurtn OF DillOn dol
lars aud must do 30 while absorbing the unem.
-Tloyed labor OF the industry wiped out and
Competing with the employers and employees OF
What Industry who seek other avenues for the
Investment Of what capital they may have left
after they see their physical assets put upon
the auction block and ihe good will OF their
business ruthlessly destroyed.
Put ~ briefly as possible. the different enects
Of nationwide prohibition may be stated as
follows:
Abolition Of business representing a eapitali
zatlon estimated at from sS.OOO.OOO.OOo to 'b-
100000.
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 2.40O plants manufacturing
distilled. malt and vinous liquors, having
capital w the 1909 census, OF 1881 100000 pur.
chasing raw materials valued at Si6s.OOO.OoO
annually and turning out product valued AZ
over $3.50 100000 annually.
Closing up OF over 203 900 retail liquor estab-
lishmenIs with an investment running up into
many millions OF dollars.
Bankruptcy for thousands OF these manu-.
0facturers, wholesalers and retailers who VIII
End themselves facing 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 busi
ness will be unable to meet bills due
Switching Of thousands OF these dealers 20
other lines OF industry. where they will come
into competition with their brains and what Il
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 theii
income from freight. According 10 the United
States statistical Abstract for 1913, the tota
movement OF manufactures OF the wine, whia
key and beer Industries in 1912 amounted q
over 1000 900 tons, or az per cent OF th'
Total traffic OF all manufacturing industries o.
the country This does not take into considera
ton the shipment OF grain and other raw ma
terials 10 the distilleries, breweries and vine
res. nor does Il take cognizance OF byproduct
like dried feed which. when shipped away
represents from 20 10 40 per cent OF the bull
OF the grain going 20 these plants; nor does Z
take notice Of shipments between wholesaler
and retailers and retail dealers and customers
Loss OF billions % dollars 10 wholesale gro
GERS. hotel owners, restaurant keepers, drus
rists. both wholesale and retail, most Of whom
ordinarily are not classed BY the public will
the liauor industries