The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1915-07-01

MhuN VI Jul UUSl1C1S uACA Law
found it hard during the past year to
meet their obligations promptly. and
had We had liquor and the business
d~epresSion under which We have been
going at the same time. / believe not
a few OF them would have been forced
TO the wall. II is an u~nd!sputable fact
that many men have paid their mer-
chants promptly during the last year
who often did not pay at all II they
could prevent It before liquor was
banshed from the state. Their fam
lilies have also been better supplied.
I'VE could name many more bene-
fits Of prohibition in West Virginia,
but space will not permit, and we can
not name one evil effect Of prohibi-
ton"
Representatives OF Hartley's De
partnent store said:
While we think our business will
be ~beneftted by the state being dry
we cannot say we have had any d.
rect returns as a result Of prohibition
owing to conditions being below nor
nal in all parts OF the state. Our
statement that retail business in gen
eral is bettered is based largely on
the fact that during the time that
Fairmont has been dry which was in
panic times this stores business did
not suffer. We cannot help but feel
that collections will be better and
that all other retail businesses will be
on a stronger basis
Z. c. Jones. proprietor OF The
Women's Store" in Main street. said:
81 believe the community is bene-
fitted by not having the liquor traf-
fc as it puts more OF the peoples
earnings into the regular channels OF
trade. Naturally it makes a cleaner
town to live in"
Smith Hood. general manager or the
MonoHgahela Valley Traction COM
pany said:
Prohibition has been more success.
full than l anticipated although the
law has been and rightly so rigidly
enforced. While the effects OF prohl-
bition has reduced the receipts OF the
traction company. we feel that we
have been able to give II patrons
better service. Passengers do not
hesitate 10 board a a on any trip
at present. whereas one year ago 1t
was rare thing that a woman would
be found on one of the late cars.
Prohibition has lessened the num-
Der Of our accidents which were often
caused by drunken persons falling
from moving cars. walking in front
Of moving cars or lying down on the
track.
81 would be sorry II the time would
come when We would return to the
former conditions. II it were posi-
Bile to pass a law that would be CON
stitutional which would render it i'm
possible TO bring intoXicants into the
state We would then and not till then
receive the maximum benefit"
H. ". Showalter. yice.president of
the First National Bank. said:
Answering your inquiry desire to
say that in my opinion prohibition in
West Virginia has proven the greatest
thing in the history VI the state FOR
the elevation Of character and c'Eili-
cation as well as for the best interest
OF general business conditions
R. Linn. proprietor OF the Dixie
Motion picture theatre, in Main street
said:
While l am not prejudiced on the
question of prohibition know that my
business has been far better during
the year OF prohibition than before.
/ am not bothered by a crowd OF
drunks and there is no rowdytsm IN
nv theatre at all. have done more
business and am showing to large
crowds than ever before. Men who
formerly came to the Dixie drunk now
come TO the theatre sober and the
change Is most satisfactory.
Mrs. ]. Walter Barnes. ~suffragist.
and state chairman OF the Women's
Christian Temperance Union, said:
LAS result Of prohibition in Fair.
mont and Marion county women may
20 honr safely in the evenings with
out escort. They are not subjected &c
the humiliation and annoyance OF
meeting drunken men on the streets.
The women Of the city are wearing
better dresses. they have better fur.
niture and carpets for their homes and
their children are clothed better as a
result Of prohibition" ;.
The Rev. H. G. Stoetzer. president OF
the Fairmont Ministerial union said:
Prohibition has been a success The
conditions in many homes have i'm.
proved, they are better furnished and
the children are better clothed and
happier Men work more regularly.
More scholars are in the Sunday
Schools and they come with greater
regularity.
"The attendance at church services
has increased and offerings for chartt-
able purposes are larger. The civic
life is q a higher tone. There is less
profanity and ~vulgarity, and more real
civic pride.
Pastors have fewer funerals due to
accidents caused by drink. The com.
ing years will show even better re-
suits"
Miss Margaret Mckinney. secretary
of the associated Charities. said:
Prohibition has meant a great deal
during the last year to the wfNking
people Of Fairmont. During last win
ter when the heads of families were
out OF work a part of the time the
families did not suffer so much as
they did the previous years when the
bread Winners were at work all the
time. This was due largely to the fact
that money earned last winter was eX.
pended for food. clothing and other
necessities for the family. During pre-
ceding Years much Of the money earn.
ed wentto the saloon keeper for beer
and whISkey."
Mrs Mvrtle Powell. Of the National