New-York tribune., 1918-05-14
F. B. Lynch Says Liquor
Men Have Created Situation
by Upholding Saloons
Drinkers and Drys
Both Classified
Last Week of Liquor Forum
Throws New Light on
Problem

l..
is the philosophical conclusion of
Frederick B. Lynch, millionaire
lumberman and landowner from
Minnesota, whose shipping inter
ests now keep him occupied at his
New York office at 10 Bridge Street.
His contribution strikes a new
note in The Tribune's forum on pro-
hibition, now in it's fourth week.
eff the liquor dealers had agreed
to beer and light wines and had no.
insisted on the corner saloon taking
the place of the red schoolhouse-
if they had not insisted in pander-
ing to the worst and most degraded
elements in our social ]ife-we
would not be facing prohibition to-
day." is the way he prefaces the
following letter:
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: l have read with a great deal
Of interest the views expressed in YOUR
paper on the subject of prohibition
j. is an exceedingly interesting and en-
'ertaning discussion on what seems to
me to be an academic question.
Prohibition is here, and whether we
believe in it or not it is an accom-
plished fact, requiring only the official
action of few states to put it into
effect. There is no question but what
such action will be taken in a short
time, and no discussion will prevent
IT. It's like the old question of man
who is in jail, and while he cannot be
put there. he is there.
Prohibition is accomplished because
OF two facts. First, the greed of the
liquor dealers in extending their bust
ness, their callous disregard of the law
and their inhumanity, because the use
Of alcoholic liquor is an economic
waste. Those of us who have used it
moderately regret that we will have to
give 1t up, but there is no good argu-
nent. aside from our personal pleas
ure in the use of 1T, why we should be
allowed to use it, as opposed to the
fact that its use is injurious to verv
many people, and we must give up our
pleasant practices for what the major
lty believe to be the common good
Those of depraved tastes and inclina-
tions who will be addicted to the use
Of drugs because liquor is denied them
will suffer most from prohibition, but
even such habits will be broken in
time by the prohibition of the manu-
facture of these drugs, even as the
away with by making it illegal to
manufacture it. 4,
Laws do not prevent entirely any
bad practices-they only tend to make
them unpopular, and until the millen-
mum comes it will always be neces-
sary to protect by restrictive legisla-
ton, which is brute force, the weak
from the strong and man against him
self.
good white paper in discussing an his
ttrlcal fact. F. B. LYNCH.
On the Absurdity
of Prohibition
The following classification of pro-
hibitionists is submitted by Marie E.
Mclean, of 1850 Grand Boulevard.
The Bronx, who writes:
To the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: The prohibition agitation is,
of course, brought about because of
the existence of drunkards and the
desire on the part of the prohibitions
lsts to do away with drunkenness. We
all desire to do away with drunken
ness, if possible, but who are the pro-
hlbitionists that claim to know so we'll
how to handle the problem? All pro-
hibitionists may easily be put into the
following subdivisions:
81. Paid reformers" Should they
attain their goal it would then become
necessary for them to start some other
reform" prohibiting the use, to pre-
vent abuse, of host of things, such
as tobacco, playing cards, tea, coffee,
sweets. dancing.
2. Reformed drunkards." People
who judge all others by their own
weakness.
3: A handful of misguided, honest,
self-sacrificing people who will tell you
frankly that, while they like their
alcoholic refreshments and know that,
taken moderately. they are absolutely
harmless. for, the sake of those who
40 not know how to drink moderately
they are willing to give up their own
moderate use of alcoholic beverages
and help bring about prohibition.
In considering "Why are drunk
ards?' Immediately the answer pre-
sents itself: Because they are weak
IL this is the true reason, is it not
more important to help make all men
Srong than to try to bring about pro-
hibition?
The prohibitionist and the drunkard
are both extremists. 1t is true they
represent opposite extremes, but both
are equally obnoxious to the vast ma
lority of the people, who are normal,
temperate and clean living. Surely it
cannot be right to try to govern this
vast majority according to standards
sc, by these extremists.
The prohibition theory itself is alb
surd How can we expect to bring
about by law that which an individuals
own self-respect, love of family and
VIII power have failed to achieve? Ex-
perience has taught that we cannot
control the appetites Of others any
more than we can control their habits
VI thought and action. We can only
EDUCATE, guide and help.
VI one thing we may be certain:
aqst SO long as humanity suffers,
physically and mentally. just SO long
VIII the weak seek relief in oblivion
brought about, if not by excessive
dnnking, then by drugs or other ex-
cesses,
1t is also certain that humanity will
eontinue to suffer, physically and men
Aiiy, just as long as we all sin. There
= not one Of US who has not sinned
% viii not sin again. Those of US
mo are strong strive to do better and
seep right on fighting life's battle. The
Meak become discouraged and seek the
C0uF69 0f 1east resiatance Some turn