New-York tribune., 1918-04-28
Widespread Bootleg
ging No Argument,
Says Mr.. Manierre
Sober Armies Alone
Can Win the War

featured too highly the attacks of the
ants. So we give to-day an all-pro-
hibition, all-suppression broadside.
One Of the staunchest and ablest
champions of nationwide prohibition
is Professor Irving L. Fisher, of
Yale. Aside from his high standing
as an economist he has taken a deep
interest in the problems of public
health and national welfare. As the
result Of wide investigation he does
not hesitate to declare for complete
suppression of the Demon. He
writes:
At the present time 80 per cent Of
lation are already under prohibition
laws. Our national capital is under
such a law. Only a short time ago
Secretary Daniels was ridiculed for ex-
cluding intoxcants from the navy.
Now he is recognized, inside and OUT
side Of the service, as having added to
our fighting strength thereby.
and navy. from a medical point Of
view, favor total abstinence. and.
thanks TO their influence and that Of
the medical profession. both the arm,
and the navy have been put on dry
basis Our army. camps are sur
rounded by 'dry' zone
The medical profession last June
put itself on record as against alco-
holic beverages. Certainly most, prob
ably all, Of the belligerent nations have
adopted laws or regulations reducing
the use OF alcohol as a war reasur.
In some of them, including Canada,
there is practical prohibition.
Already eleven Of our states have
ratified the constitutional amendment,
including Maryland and Massachusetts,
which contain great cities, and Texas
No state has yet definitely rejected tar
amendment l have little doubt thai
it will be adopted by more than the
necessary thirty-six states.
Inc world is clearly preparing to
cast out the devil Of alcohol Laws
against alcohol, it is now understood.
rest on the same basis as laws against
morphine and other habit-formins
drugs; for modern science has con-
elusively demonstrated that even in
small quantities the use of alcoho, is
somewhat injurious. I need go no
further than to cite the epoch-making
Carnegie Nutrition Laboratory.
We also have actuarial statistics of
1orty-three life insurance companies
which show that the moderate drinker,
not beyond adrittance to life insurance,
has a mortality 86 per cent above the
average, while the extremely moderate
drinker representing the minimum
class in the four classes distinguished
IN these statistics) mas a mortality 18
per cent above
These and other bits of scientific
proof can never in the future be over
ooked. Therefore it is now only y
question of time when public opinion
will follow the conclusions of science,
md when those who believe that alco-
sol, even in moderation. is beneficial
or harmless will be as rare as those
who still believe that the earth is fat.
Again, we live in an age in which the
dominant ideals are those of work, not
those of leisure. Drinking can re-
main fashionable only where there is a
real leisure class The war will in
evitably leave behind it permanent
economy of effort, hard work and eff
cheney in production. Stronger move
ments toward the upbuilding Of ma
tional vitality and the conserving of
life will follow this wholesale destruc-
ION OF life as surely as better fire
protection follows a confagraton, or
as safety at sea follows a Titanic dis
aster.
The conclusion which military au-
'horitles have reached, that alcohol in
diligence Is inconsistent with the high.
est efficiency in fighting, will bring
with il the general belief that it is in
consistent, likewise, with industrial
efficiency
Industrial leaders have already rec
1cI
cut the country are, in general, agains.
alcohol and ready for prohibition
And, IN spite of the attempt Of the
brewers TO prove the opposite labor
men are coming more and more 10
favor prohibition, as several labor
leaders. especially Senator Jones, os
Minnesota, and the labor leaders in
colorado and other "dry" states, can
abundantly testify.
The results that have been achieved
IN reducing ineficiency poverty. vice
End crime wherever state prohibition
has been enacted in recent years have
been so good that the public ser rtinent
IN its favor has grown faster after the
enactment than before, simply because
the contrast before and after the
enactrnen. of the law has demonstrated
the value Of prohibition.
IRVING L. FISHER
AAtS AOtlo"ll4S iitEAESL!N2 <tlCO-
hoiicatechisn," sent by John A. An
derson, is ruthless in It's denuncia-
ton Of liquor. Beth friends and foes
OF Booze will be interested in the fol-
lo Sing statement o. the case for pro-
Ioition:
The. liquor prohibjtionists are frc-
qosnssy charged with being given to
eanE- would like 70 urge that it is
tne friends of liquor drinking ard
SeAing WHO make up the party Of cant
IN al sides It is constantly urged that
ms or that attempt to curb its per-
iormance "can't" be done. But tho
,moSid has seen many changes OF
ia,s and there has arisen Il World Of
,IA.. among other things That are
Hksiy tn 80 is the beer "ean."t
ny onservation regarding most Of
fne alleged arguments of .he apoloVigts
~ In lire with the celebrated utter
ances Of the late Captain Devcry, Who
remarked Of certain rnooted ouex
Lon. Them facts has beer investi.
Rssed and found 10 be not so' Permit
me 70 pat in the form Of shorter
easechism a few questions and answerg.
which will solve some Of The con}ect.
In ~ l. 1