Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-26
Editorial Comment
Observation-Disclosures.
(SpringfieId Republican, Apr. 81

Springfield Republican, Apr 21.)
The South and West are lukewarm
toward selective CONSUMPTION for the
new army; but the South and West
would probably welcome national
prohibition during the period of the
war. very large part Of the United
States in those sections is already
dry. Here is the possible basis Of
an accommodation of interests be-
tween the East and the South and
West. In exchange for selective con-
scription the East might prove its
patriotism by supporting national pro-
hibition. ~
AS matters stand, the question Of
national prohibition Is technically up
10 the president. The democratic
caucus Of the House first voted, 81
to so, in favor of making prohibition
part of the war legislation of the
present session; and then the vote
was rescinded because Of the threats
Of democratic congressman from the
big northeastern cities such as New
York and Boston. The caucus, however,
will take up any measure that the
president says is essential to the
prosecution Of the war: all he has to
do, therefore. to bring the prohibit
ton issue before Congress Is to ask
that prohibition be adopted as a war
measure in order that the food sup
ply may be conserved.
Prohibition and CONSUMPTION both
involve the use by government of
compulsion in dealing with the citizens
Of the country. One Is about as arbi-
trary as the other. Under prohibition
the individual is forbidden to engage in
a certain industry or trade: virtually
1O0.OcO,oe0 people, also, under national
prohibition. would have to submit to
dictation as to what they should drink
Thus the law would interfere with per.
sonal liberty. CONSUMPTION would also
interfere with personal liberty: for 1t
would select certain individuals, ac-
cord!ng to their fitness. and would
charge them with the military defense
Of the nation. But. in each case, the
governments interference with person
al liberty would be justified by a ma
tional emergency: both CONSUMPTION
and prohibition would derive their un-
innate sanction from the necessity Of
safeguarding the national welfare.
If national CONSUMPTION IS the wiser
FoittS, hiitSl pISSSul
view of the fact, especially. that IN
enemy chat depends on volunteering is
regarded in Germany as almost
negligible in the. war equation-why
is not national prohibition also the
wiser policy It is said that conscrip-
ton would impress Germany with our
determination to utilize to the fullest
extent in the shortest possible time our
latent military power; and undoubted-
ly CONSUMPTION would have that effect.
But national prohibition would also i'm
press Germany with our determination,
for. Germany has not been determined
enough, or strong enough. or efficient
enough to adopt prohibition for the
period of the war. What could have a
greater moral effect abroad, or create
profounder impression as to Amer
ica's determination than a measure
making America bone dry for the per-
iod Of the war?
1t is strongly argued by the President
that se}ective CONSUMPTION at this time
must promote the mobilization Of all
the productive and active forces Of the
nation and their development to the
highest point Of cooperation and eff.
cheney" The principle Of national
service in the essential industries would
be safeguarded most completely II the
government should designate those per-
CONS who are best fitted for military
service. But the same principle applied
to the essential and non-essential in
dustries of the country would necessar-
lily eliminate the distilling and brewery
industries. If we are to mobilize "aii
the productive and active forces Of the
nation" and seek their development to
the highest point of cooperation and
efficiency" then there is no room in
this war for the liquor trade.
If. for military reasons, seiective
CONSUMPTION is to be desired to meet
the present national emergency-and
we do not dispute it-then for economic
reasons national prohibition cannot be
dismissed as unwarranted. Even now
the secretary of agriculture is recon-
mending legislation to Congress under
which the. 4goNernment would be au-