Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-12-03
Public Sentiment and Prohibition

Good exists for the rapidty with which
the prohibition petitions inst put into circulation
are receiving signatures
Public sentiment in Hawaii is rolling up behind
prohibition. 1t is rolling up steadily and rolling up
al an impressive speed
Individuals and firms which in 1910 would not
consider aligning themselves with the prohibition
cause do now without hesitation.
Men who in 1913. 1915 and early in 1917 insisted
that the federal government had proper business
making Hawaii dry are now not only perfectly
content but eager to see Congress enact Legislation
that will ban liquor from the islands.
81 Why the change?
There are many factors. Primarily the booze
business is thoroughly diScredited in Hawaii. Since
the election of 1910 there have been saloon scandals
and brewery scandals. deeds of violence and deeds
of theft and knavery traced directly to booze that
the evil influence Of booze in the community has
been established beyond all argument. Even more
powerful than this, perhaps. in swinging over the
sentiment of Hawais business leaders is the econ0-
mic factor The use of liquor is recognized as
inimical to good business The employer who drinks
habitually is becoming out-ofdate the emplOye
who drinks habtualv 1t is perfectly well.known
that the of intoxicants lowers efficiency and as
business competition in Hawaii becomes keener, en-
ployers are demanding of themselves and of their
men That all ''cut out or the DooZe
The nation wide strides of prohibition have had
their reflex here AS state after state has been add
ed to the "allwhite column" public attention here
has been challenged.
The all.important fact of war has given prohib
ton a great impetus 1t is well.remembered that
when the United States entered the war; there was
IN instant stimulus to prohibition here; additional
restrictions were imposed on saloons ard cafes );
fubs voluntarily carried out restrictions for them
selves Unfortunately, it is also an important fact
that there is much 'boot.legging" and "blindpg-
ging.' The many attractions Of the liquor regua-
lions have added to the decided opinion that Ha-
waii should be made entirely "dry.'
For a long time the "home rule doctrine was
used as an argument against liquor legislation in
Washington to make Hawaii dry. Prohibition ad-
yocates here notably the Anti-saloon League, gave
every opportunity lastsHing for the legislature to
make clean-cut statement on he prohibition issue.
There is no question that most citizens of Hawaii
would prefer to see Hawaii go dry by vote here at
home than by Washington action. But just as
political maneuvering political trickery and political
chicanery in the past have been called into play to
befog the issue and defeat anything like home rule
the prohibition issue, will such political mani
pulation be called into play in the future If ever
and whenever there is proposal for referendum
or pIebiscite in Hawaii. *.>
In plain words, the prohibition advocates here
do not feel that they can rely upon the good faith
OF those ostensiby most anxious to see the liquor
question put up for settlement by vote at home.
Among the congressman who recently visited here
we're several who are energetic champions of prehi
biti0n 1t is certain that at least one or two of
them found time to dig down into the liquor situa-
ton here and to get glance at the devious trail off
king Booze ? That ought to help in securing ac
ton at Washington.
If the prohibition advocates had any hope that
the home rule doctrine would be carried out fairly
and squarely If they had any hope that politics
could be kept out of pebiscite their Justification
for seeking action in Washington would be much
less than it is.
Hawaii is at war; We are plunged into our part /
of the nations tremendous struggle struggle in
which we cannot waste an atom of strength an
ounce Of food cubic foot of cargo space nor
minute of time which might be useful for the coun.
try's service. .,..ss ....
There is not an employer in Hawaii who does not /
know that his organization is more efficient with.
but booze than with booze. There is not fair.
minded man in Hawaii who does not know that
this territory would be more efficient without booze
than with booze.
DENVER WOMEN ACTIVE. |,
!