Danskeren. [volume] (Neenah, Wis.) 1892-1920, 1916-09-13
PROHIBITION
and
THE CRIME PROBLEM"

All must admit that it will take many years
to overcome, either by law or moral suasion, the
criminal traits so long fostered by licenced saloons,
and perpetuated by their degenerate personnel in
Galley joints and soft () drink emporiums.
But High licence with Regulation has had
a fair trial, and has been found wanting alike in
homes, commerce, industry and criminal courts,
No amount Of bolstering by a prepaid ''pros-
perity league" can rule the cumulative evidence
out of public consideration in passing a final judg-
ment on the whole booze business.
Omaha Bee, Oct. II, 1879
"Closing saloons in Chicago on Sunday for
the first time in ~fortyfour years resulted in the
day passing with the lowest crime record known
to the police department, Chief of Police Healey
announced today.
"Out Of the 1852 saloons in the city, only
twenty-eight were found to have violated Mayor
Thompson's closing order, which became effec-
tive yesterday.
Chicago for the most part stayed at home.
There was a marked increase, however, in the
theatre attendance, the movies doing a rushing
business. Saloons in the suburban districts, where
the state closing law was not enforced, received
an unusually brisk trade from automobile parties.
"Closing the saloon gave 10000 saloon en-
ployees a day off, it was figured. Liquor interests
pointed out that the saloon keepers collectively
lost nearly $400,000 yesterday"
On October 23rd the saloon keepers attacking
the legality of Sunday closing met defeat, when
Judge Windes, in the circuit court after listening
to long argument, refused to issue a temporary in
junction restraining the city authorities from en-
forcing the closing rule. A similar petition had
been denied by Judge Matchett. In announcing
his decision the court said:
From long experience in the criminal court,
/ have found that approximately 70 per cent OF the
crime fcf which persons are punished is the re-
suit, directly or indirectly, Of drink, and | will not
interfere with the mayors action without a COM
plete hearing upon the merits of the case
The following editorial appeared in Golfers
Weekly of date July 20, 1916.
The County Jail was the subject Of an editor
ial printed on this page some weeks ago, when we
noted that the Denver Highway Department now
has to pay real money for the rocks it is using
in road making, simply because there are not con
victs enough to serve on the rock pile. All that
has happened since Colorado went dry, and it
seems to us that if the rock pile industry has been
ruined, it is all the fanlt Of the drys. But Denver
isn't the only sufferer. Down in Wilkes County,
Georgia, they've been having trouble finding
enough convicts to work on the roads, and tried
to borrow some from Richmond county. Accor-
ding to the Augusta Chronicle however, Rich
mond was short herself: Prohibition, it seems,
had begun TO get in its work in Richmond as well
as in Wilkes The Savannah "Morning News
comments on the same shortage in Chatham coun-
ty, where prisoners in the county convict camps
averaged about 100 less than the previous month"
The Atlanta Georgian" reports still another
county-Fulton-that is having trouble because
there arn't boozers enough being sentenced to
Jail terms. In Fulton county some fifty or sixty
deputy wardens, guards and other offceholders
seem to be doomed, or have already lost their jobs,
and there are to be only 5 convict camps instead
Of 8. This situation naturally alarms the Augu-
sta Chronicle. "What on earth are the coun-
ties of Georgia going to do about it with pro-
hibition depriving them of their convicts in this
manner9 The situation is becoming serious"
Vote Nebraska Dry and Stop Saloon and
Criminal Prosperity.
PRESS COMMITTEE