Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-10-10
Sees ENCOURAGEMENT
IN PROHIBITION FIGHT
isterial Union on Effect of
New Statute.
MEANS NEW SOCIAL SYSTEM
Pleads for Support of Churches in
Campaign for Law Enforcement.
Many Factors Which Will Aid in
Having Law Carried Out.


| Addressing u large audience of min
! listers at tho meeting of the Ministerial
| Union Of Richmond yesterday noon at
| the Central Young Mems Christian AS
| ISOLATION Building. Rev. J. Sidney Pc
tcrs. state Commissioner of Prohibition,
pleaded for the support of the churchc s
In the enforcement of the Statewide
prohibitio law which goes into eff
feet November /.
The church has no greater con-
Germ in this generation" declared Com
missioner Peters than the destination
of the habit of drinking alcoholic
liquors. and of the traffic I'm alcohol.
The traffic is the chief competitor of
the church in it's yearning for young
men. This trafnc ulicnates an cnor-
NOUS proportion of young men from
the church'S activities and affairs Onr
competitor must be destroyed
Commissioners Peters spoke of tho
competition Of the liquor traffic with
the church in foreign lands. and de-
cEtred ihat II was serious question
whether the exploitation OF foreign
lands by the agents Of alcohol had not
resulted in more harm to the heather
than all the good that had been done
by the church through its mission
aries.
In the beginning Of his remarks.
Commissioner Peters paid tribute to the
Ministerial Union of Richmond as per-
body in the South.
PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION
HAS RAPIDLY INCREASED
Briefly reviewing the history Of the
liquor traffic. the speaker pointed out
the great increase OF its power and
size in the last half-century i'm tho
United States. In 1870 the consump-
ton per capita OF ardent spirits
throughout the country was three gal
Ions annually. In 1912 the consumption
was twenty-three gallons per capita.
prominent factor in this increase
according to the speaker. was the part
nership entered into in 1862 between
the government and the liquor traffic.
when. to gain war revenue the sellers
OF alcohol were sold licenses
we are in the midst Of a revolution.
the greatest revolutionary movement in
the history or this country at large:
Virginia has emancipated it's citizens
from exploitation by those who profted
by the traffic In alcoholic liquors. Vir-
stnia is further advanced than many
states in this revolution. and on No
rcmber l. We begin the upbuildins OF
new social order in the Common
wealth. We are not unmindful OF the
obstacles which must he overcome"
In the list OF obstacles to prohibition.
Commissioner Peters placed the de-
generates and drunknrds. the class Of
sonal appetite and none for social well
fare. the local liquor dealers and the
national organization OF alcohol inter-
csts and wet" newspapers.
Last, but not least, in this catalogue
OF obstructionists," said the speaker
II am panied TO mention those credu-
lous. unsophisticated members OF our
churches. who. though so few in num-
Der. will be go eager TO accept and
so swift to circulate the misrepresen-
tatfons OF our common foes"
SEES MANY FACTORS
OF ENCOURAGEMENT
Over and against all Of this. how
ever. are many announcements" con-
tlnued Commissioners Peters.
First. under the changed policy OF
the State. attractions Of the law will
be prosecuted with the entire weight
OF the whole state as a unit behind
each prosecution. rather than by local
prosecution here and there--a distinct
source OF strength in wet communities.
where the law has never been en-
forced in liquor cases.
Second. the great host OF people who
sacrificed and worked for this reform
will heartily and enthusiastically un-
dertnkc 10 vindicate il.
Third, all newspapers are rot wet
Some OF them fair in their discus
sions OF the liquor question and fair
corning it,,
Al the conclusion OF tho address. the
Ministerial Union gave Commissioner
Peters rising vote OF thanks
j. T.. Mccullough. OF the Southern
Sociological Congress. also spoke at
the meeting. The executive committee
OF the union announced it's approval Of
the proposal to invite the congress to
meet In Richmond next April
TO arrange for union Thanltsg living
services this year Il committee was ap-
pointed consisting Of Rev. George w
Kemper. Rev. r. \. Rudd Rev. r.
4. Smoot. ~ D.. Rev. Russell Cecil. D.
d.. Rev. Thomas Scmmes and Rev. ].
]. Schcrcr. Jr.
S. A. Ashley. State secretary of the
Young Mems Christian Association
presented plan to take an Offering
in all the churches on Sunday. October
%, TO help tho State association pay
the amount expended by it ut Camp
stuart.