Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-11-19
.HOBS0N DRAWS
AUDIENCE THAT
CROWDS ARMORY
Demands National PrOhibi-
tion Of the Sale Of Alco-
hOic Liquors
FOUR OUT OF FIVE YOUNG
MEN ARE NOW DRINKERS
Senator BOrah Only Real Big
Man Who Boldly FavOrs
Prohibition

Richmond P. Hobson, the actual lead
er OF the prohibition forces in the
United States, delivered strong ad-
dress hast evening at the armory to
an audience that completely filled the
armory and one that gave the closest
attention to his arguments on what he
claimed was. the most important ques-
tion of the age, and in fact, the great
est question of all ages.
Citing Russia, France and England
as to what was now being accomplish
ed in the way OF worldwide prohibi-
ton, Mr.. Hobson declared tnat even
now, the world WIS looking to America
to take the leadership on liquor legis-
lation.
"We have 12 decisions from the SUI
preme court OF the Uniter States, that
while man has an inherent right to
drink, he mas no right to sell intoxi-
eating liquors."
Without appealing to the prejudices
OF his audience, he placed figures and
facts before them to prove that the
liquor interests were damaging the
country, just for the financial
benefit of the few. eff the liquor traf-
fic does not hurt society, 1 will join to
protect it, but il it is damaging, i will
join with othersAio suppress it." said
the speaker. rsst
Trade Pays Low Wages.
Denying tlHat the manufacture of
liquors gave employment to great mum
bers Of people, he stated that for every
81 100000 invested in the business
only II men were employed. As q
trust, liquor paid the lowest scale OF
wages.
From the viewpoint of tax paying
Mr.. Hobson asserted that the liquor in
terests were the couse of the bulk OF
taxes, as it was the direct cause Of
paupers and insanity. AS To- efficiency
that Of the Russian people had in
creased fully SO per cent since the
abolition Of the sale Of intoxicating
drinks.
From scientific standpoint, alcohol
had been studied and found to have
no food values, or even medicinal value
In fact, all doctors and scientists, had
agreed taat alcohol was q poison.
AS to the age when the drinking
habit was formed, Mr.. Hobson claimed
that 90 per cent Of the drinkers form
the habit before 20 years of age, and
that statistics proved that four out OF
every five young men in the country
were drinkers.
Some Health Statistics.
"From a health standpoint and years
Of life, the insurance companies claim
that a young man Of 20, wao does moi
drink at all, has an expectancy of liv
ing until he is 90 years of age. II
a moderate drinker, this is reduced Ia
so years, and if a habitual drinker, the
young man, on the average will live tC
only IS years.
"I am anxious to see q start for 0
race of thoroughbred men," said the
captain, "and the only way we can dc
this is to prevent the sale or manufac
ture of liquor in our country. We ear
not always change the old drinkers, but
we must establish conditions that will
insure that the young men will grow ny
sober, and as long as there Is q wei
state in tho, union, 80 long will Liquor
be shipped into other states
''To secure the absolute prohibition
of the sale Of liquor, we must have q
two thirds vote in congress, and ther
submit 70 lne states lOf futlllchJlOn
when three fourtns Of the states mus
concur to make il final. -
His Political Life IN Danger.
"I have taken my political life II
my hands by my stand on the prohibi
tion question and the liquor interests
say they have beaten me. Senator
BOrah Is the really only great man II
the country who has come out in favoi
Of prohibition. The big eastern politl
clans will not come out squarely on tn'
proposition.
| Dir. Edwin I. Stearns, Of New York
preceded Mr.. Hobson in an address