Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-01-22
FIvE-MiNUTE TALKS

United States Senator Morris Shep.
pard. of Texas. recognized leader OF
the forces in congress urging nation,
wide prohibition by constitutional
amendment, has written the follow
ing statement, at the request of the
International News Service, on the
menace of alcohol to American life:
BY Morris Sheppard,
United States Senator from Texas.
The liquor traffic is a permanent
menace TO the nation. 1t Is the dis
tribution for profit of a habit.produc.
Ing drug in liquid form. seductive
poison that breaks down the vital
processes of the body, destroys the
capacity to resist disease, undermines
intelligence, strength and health, i'm
pairs the moral sense. composes the
chief course of poverty, insanity.
feeblemindedness, sickness, crime and
transmits an hereditary faint that
seriously handicaps posterity.
II Is the enemy OF virtue, honor,
manhood, all that life holds sacred.
all that life holds true. II Is divert
ing from productive channels n sum-
approximately two and one-half bill
lions of dollars every year. represent
ing an evergrowing proportion of the
earnings OF the people. a sum which
would otherwise be used in building
and improving homes. in providing for
substantial needs such as clothing.
1000, shoes, other comforts and neces.
sites, for education, for benevolent
undertakings of all kinds.
II Is time for the nation 90 act
When more money is being spcnt
every year for intoxicating liquors
than for bread or for clothes.
Such Is the power of the drug that
men VIII vote against 1t. speak
against 1t. pray against it. and then
mold out their trembling hands for the
glass that damns.
surely 1t Is q short-sightcd states
manship that would permit $500. 600,
w "OiSt IMAM wasted eaCI
year in the production of misery an,
vice and shame in order that the GOV
eminent might obtain a revenue q
TWO hundred and twenty millions.
II this republic cannot live withou
me dirty dollars 1t obtains from IN,
liquor traffic, dollars stained with IN.
tears OF women and children. il ourb
not to live.
There are legistlmate sources .
revenue yet untouched. There mr.,
lew direct taxes on luxuries. Tb,
income tax has little more tbo,
scratchd the surface Of enormou
wealth. There is no federal inhoJt
ahce tax Non.alcoholic beverage
are untaXed. The national domain
with measureiess mineral resources
water powers. forests and the like
could be managed so as to produco
yearly usufruct of fifty or one bur
dred millions.
Inc opponents OF the national nrr
hloition amendment assert that III
american republic cannot endure ,
the liquor traffic continues IN ohsor
lhe earnings and the energies Of IN
peopie-to threaten their moral an
material welfare.
The annual consumption of r.t,s
ana liquors now averages abor
twenty-five gallons for every ma,
woman and child in the United Stoto,
we assert that this country co,r,
Withstand the economic loss a..
comes from an annual waste or ia,
ana one-half billions of dollars
sum more than double the nation.
DEBT, and from the use OF miIIiors
FERTILE acres for the production
grain and fruit to be rotted into ,
eohoi' but for which these acres won
De making bread and mea; for u
nations sustenance.
1t is an evil transcendlng tho sco,
OF police powers that pertain IN ~
morals. the health, the physical s,r
" OF state populations. although
Is partially Within the scope Of en-,
powers.
IL portends economic disaster :,
the nation. The nation ls threaten,
and the nation must act.
The preservation OF the repub,
demands that the traffic in jntoxica
ing liquors shall cease. II, IL an oy
OF such proportions and OF such oh,
sc'er that the nation must take pn
In tho struggle against II,