The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-06-20
PROHIBITION GIVES
STANDARDS HIGHER
People OF Denver 1--we Better; Men
Spend Their Money for Their
Families

Denver. Colo, June 1--we have
been asked many times whether pro-
hibition has had any effect on the
work of the city relief once. We
feel that 1t has very greatly helped
US. So many causes are bound up
in the problem Of poverty that 1t Ia
necessary to be very careful about
attributing the trouble largely to any
one cause, writes Gertrude Vaiie. ex-
ecutive secretary Of the Bureau of
Charity and Correction, in the Rocky
Mountain News.
l would not venture to say how
much of poverty we know has been
due to alcohol nor how much OF the
improvement this year Is due to Pro-
hibition. but here are some interest
ing facts:
The number OF families asking re-
lief from the city ONCE has been
about hundred a month less than for
the corresponding month last year.
The figures are; January-19l5, 664
families; 1915, SAT families: February
--1915, sol families; 1915, 5ll fami-
lies March--1s15. $50 families; 1915,
432: April-1915, 422 families, and
1915, 342 families.
Most of that difference Is account
ed for in the unemployment problem.
We have had very much less trouble
with unemployment this year than
last, That may not be due to pro-
hibition. but at least. prohibition has
not created a hard unemployment
problem. as some people anticipated.
We can recall only two cases in which
relief has been asked because the man
had been thrown out Of employment
by the closing OF the saloons.
Wages Go to Family.
Men are using their wages more for
their families. Among us all In the
office. we can think of only two cases
since the first OF last January in
which a woman has complained that
her husband did not bring home his
wages. Last year that was q fire.
quent and bitter complaint.
The difference in what the wages
are spent for. Is Interestingly shown
In some figures given US by certain
dairies and groceries with which we
deal.
A large dairy tells US OF an increase
of business over the corresponding
months Of last year amounting to
about 1000 in January, 5000 in Feb
ruary, 5000 in March and $500 in
April. They feel that the difference
Ia in considerable measure due to pro-
htbition because OF the districts in
which the increase comes. There has
been little increase in the better resi-
dence districts-Park Hill. Capitol
Hill and the well-to-do parts OF the
North and South sides. where, II peo-
pie drank. At least they could also buy
milk. But q route around the stock
yards has an increased business Of 50
| a day: one around the railroad shops
an increase OF SO day; one IN the
district between Curtis and LArin or
Streets. an increase of IS q day. A
very interesting experience was that
of 8 retail route in the business sec
ton in which there had been Al sA-
looms.
Tha. driver thought they might as
we'll take OFF the wagon. since most
OF the trade was for milk and butter
milk for the saloons. But with the
closing OF the saloons and the opening
OF more lunch counters and the soft
drink places the business OF that route
rose from s3s to s65 day.
The reports from the grocers are
almost as interesting. Ii is the Gus
tom of this once TO give the grocery
orders on any grocer preferred by the
person we are helping. We have
found that the people get the best
service that way. This has made us
deal with many small neighborhood
groceries, They tell us. without ex-
/ ception. that they are better able to
make their collections. and that peo-
pie are buying more and better quail
ity OF food.
Women Do Buying.
One grocer commented that II was
worth a great deal to see the in
creased manner Of self-respect with
which the women do the buying since
| they could buy better things.
! So we are convinced that however
much or little actual drunkenness may
have had to do with the poverty we
meet, at any rate. since the closing Of
! the saloons people are being better
/ fed and that will 20 far to reduce
some other causes OF poverty.
! And they are doing better about
meeting their Just obligations. and
that will go far toward raising their
selfrespect and their general stand
ard of living.