Fergus County Democrat., 1916-09-21
PORTLAND likes
RESULTS Of DRY
PROSECUTING ATTORNEY OF ORE
CON METROPOLIS GIVES OUT
SOME PLAIN FACTS.
FAMILIES HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS

Replying to an inquiry from the
publicity department of the Montana
Anti-Saloon league, Hon. Walter H.
Evans, district attorney of Multnomah
county, Oregon. writes as follows, un-
der date of Sept. IA:
1.-THE Montana Ant-Saloon League,
Helena, Mont.
"Gentlemen:--As public official
am not given to injecting my per-
sonal opinions into any controversy
of this kind, but | take pleasure in
offering you the use of some stats
tics which have been gathered here.
THE report of operations OF my
deputy at the police court. where the
great bulk of all criminal prosecutions
begin, shows that for the year begin
ming September, 1914. there were SOL
felonies prosecuted, and for the year
beginning September. 1915, to date,
including eight months under the pro-
hibition law, there were 1928.
Total misdemeanors for the first
period mentioned were 1860, and for
the second period LASS
During the first period there were
los held to the Juvenile court, and
during the second period only 13.
This is in line with what is gen
orally conceded that prohibition has
brought about "a decided reduction in
the amount of-crime.
Figures from the sheriff's office
and the United States marshals office
also show marked reduction, ap-
proximating 35 per cent in both cases.
HRuaiuacc conditions ~ 1,rrc,
complicated by the general depression
existing during recent years, but busi-
ness houses generally seem to hold
the opinion that there has been a very
marked improvement since the first
of January, when prohibition went
into effect; thus five out of six large
dry goods and department stores re.
ported improvements and one reports
no change.
"Bradstreet's reports a slight i'm
provement generally.
-Four out OF six wholesalers report
a slight increase in cash value Of busi-
ness.
Fifty retail grocers reported an
average increase Of 10 per cent. in
gross business and 25 per cent. in cash
business.
"A number of jewelers. report 25
to SO per cent. better business
purchasers of new automobiles
during the first six months of 1916
were 5000 as against $500 for the
entire year Of 1915.
Five and ten-cent eating houses es-
tablished as charity or business
venture during the depressed condi,
tipns of 1915 have all discontinued.
| "A number Of butchers reported
noticeable improvement in the quail
ity of meat bought by the poorer
classes of customers
Deposits in banks for five months
including May, 1916, show an increase
of S7,865,709 over the same period o1
last year. The increase in the en-
tire state for the same period was
$12,693,421. Bank clearances in Port
land during thei,tirst five months OF
1916 were $10,405,667 greater than il
the same period for 1916.
"All but 81 out of 1872 buildings for
merly occupied by saloons have beer
re-rented. An attorney who has
large practice among the women O
the red-light district and similar
classes tells me that so per cent. O
these women have left the city.
"Bradstreet's shows increased activ
ity in building during the current year
From December 1, 1915, to June 27
1916, there was an increase of II,
water services. indicating a residenc,
population slightly better than sta
tionary.
Il have been aware of false report.
1 disseminated throughout the countr,
concerning the experience in this stat,
under prohibition, and | may say tha
such reports are generally resented
here by both vets and dries Busi
ness conditions have not been good
it is true, but they existed so Ion,
before prohibition went into effect
and have shown a tendency towar,
improvement rather than to get wors,
since the law has been enforced
is too early to give an absolutely con
yincing report on this point, and
can speak only of the trend.
Social conditions undoubtedly ar,
better. Many families are happy an,
prosperous who were not so before.
have no objection to your using thi
statement publicly, il you SO desire
Yours very truly,
..3 "WALTER H. EVANS,
District Attorney