Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1916-04-30
TELLS Of EFFORTS
TO CURB Drink EVIL
Lord D'Abernon Discusses
Methods Applied by England
Nine Months Ago.
TRAFFIC BOARD REDUCES
PUBLIC DRUNKENNESS
Breweries Declared Far Too Numer.
Gus for Economy and Amalgama-
ton Urged in Reform Step.

ZION urged In Reform Step.
Correspondence OF the Associated Press
LONDON. April 23.-The results Of
the resolute methods applied by Eng
land to the regulation of the drink
problem nine months ago. after the
nrst lessons of the wars demands had
been learned, are discussed in an in
terview with a correspondent of the
Associated Press by Lord D'Abernon.
chairman of the central liquor traffio
control board. the organization having
the work in hand.
Briefly. in areas accounting for 2s.s
100000 out of the 100000 population
over which the board has extended its
influence. 1t has reduced public drunks
enness roughly by SO per cent. The
new regulations. however, will not ex-
tend beyond England. Scotland and
Wales
One of Lord D'Abernon's most strik.
ing statements was his forecast that
were the problem of intemperance at
tackled with vigor and skill three
fourths of the drink evil might never
recur.
That. of course, is one mans opin-
IoH ouiy, ne emphasized, ''Dut i De-
lieve 1t is fully justified in the light of
what we have been fortunate enough
to learn. l don't want to make the mis-
take of painting the picture in too rosy
light. There Is certainly a tremen-
dous work ahead. even though the
mists do appear to be parting some.
Bear In mind that prohibition as l
understand its application in the Unit
ed states and Canada, is largely rural.
while these figures / have given refer
cttieG- "a re Wi
and the Canadian claims in the prohi-
bition areas of reductions of about SIS
per cent.
''One of the first points to bear in
mind in grasping the situation here lis
that in the years Immediately proceed
ing the outbreak of war both the con-
sumption of alcohol and the number of
convictions for public drunkenness
were steadily increasing.
Good Trade and High Wages.
Also. in the past good trade has al
ways conceded with an increase in
consumption of alcohol 1t is disap-
pointing. therefore. to realize that in
1904 increased taxation of alcohol,
the temperance propaganda and the
licensing regulations in force. which
heretofore had resulted in an average
annual diminution of about 1000
licenses, had not been sufficient TO
counteract the influence of good trade
and high wages.
I'm attempting to present fair refiec-
tion of the situation, however, / must
give you brighter side of the picture.
This. concerns the highly gratifying
readiness with which the public has
shown itself willing to assist in seeing
that all should conform to the drastic
regulations of the past nine months.
You may attribute this truly re-
markable attitude. believe, to the
public's belief that the restrictions are
in reality war necessities. and their
willingness In a great crisis to sub
serve personal convenience to national
efficiency.
Among the public at large. it is re-
markable also that there is widespread
and practically general approval of
such provisions as that prohibiting
treating. When a law interfering with
a right as sacred to the Englishman's
sense of personal liberty as that of
treating is not only accepted, but well
coined by a large portion of the popu-
lace, you may see how the nation is
welded to win the war. Likewise the
law that prohibits the extension of
hitting the dilution of spirits. have
not only been approved, but elected
little or no criticism.
Number of Convictions Reduced.
1T is true. of course. that more diff
ference exists regarding the restric-
ton of hours. The board has attempt
ed to confine the consumption OF al
cohol to hours conflicting least with
the working day and coinciding best
with ordinary meal hours
"One of the best outward results OF
the boards work is the reduction in
the number of convictions for drunk
enness with aggrayations. aggraNa-
lions usually representing disorder
and assault The reduction in the num-
Der of these cases has been even great
err than in the number of simple
While not explained TINS
feature is proving of vast interest TO
all students of the problem.
I'VE are not only pleased to note the
reduction in public intemperance and
of convictions referred TO. but to OBJ
serve that they have been steadily
in areas in which our or
ders are in force. there having been
no falling back from the pest leNei
reached"
The governments success in induc-
ing Lord D'Abernon to assume the di-
rection of the important and pressing
work confronting the liquor tramc
board was considered a good omen
from the start He is one or the pest
known trade and financial exper'7 OF
the empire. He is also now chal IN
of the dominions royal trade cohinils
sion and has been governor or the I'M
nerial ottoman Bank at Constantinopls
y nd financial adviser of the Egyptian
as we'll as the holder OF
other amendments of distinction
Would Put Traffic on Better Basis.
Curious as it may seem, one OF his
slogans is that much may be done Tor
Tho cause of temperance by placing the
iouor traffic on a better financial
hssis. The true inwardness OF this idea
g that by consolidation of brewing IN
+erests and the reduction in the num-
,er Of public houses or saloons the
to drink will be correspond
ngly reduced. a..
mo one who has closely studied me
present method of administration can IAN
10 realize how ineffective ana exrasa-
pant the present mode of retailing aico-
mol to the public is. said Lore II Aper
non. land it is probable that the same
argument holds good in a sense IN the
United States and Canada / mean the
excess of temptation re-
sulting. 49,. ,,,,
Licensed houses are not only too nu-
nervous from the standpoint of public
order and the police-we all seem 10
-ealize that-but they somehow ran 10
-ealize that they are too numerous from
he point of trade efficiency. They should
No made to see that the same net proht
,ould be realized from licensed houses re-
3uced in number by 80 to 40 per cent.
2eformers have talked so much about
he swollen profits of the brewing trade
hat many brewers here fail to realize
low small their profits are in comparison