South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-12-27

Deaths From Alcoholism Show
Reduction of From So to
80 Percent Since IA.

LONDON, Dec. e6.-(Correspon-
dence)--pruukenne and deaths
from alcoholism in the United King
dom show a decline ranging from 50
to so percent since the war regula-
tions against drinking were insti-
tuted by the government four years
ago, according TO Lord D'Abernon,
chairman of the Liquor Control
board.
Abolition of the custom OF treat
ing and drinking on an empty
stomach and the virtual extinction
of the saloon loafer were the main
factors contributing 10 the growing
tendency 10 national temperance,
Lord D'Abernon said.
The lines on which we have pro-
ceedej," he continued, are 10 a.
succeeded beyond expectation Nor
is there any evidence o. growth OF
the drug habit. which is usually one
of the consequences of too drastic
interference with facilities for Oh
tanning liquor.
After the bOafer.
This happy absence of undesir-
able features / attribute TO the fact
that. while facilities have been
greatly curtailed-the liquor shops
being open . - hours daily. COM
pared with Is or 10 before the war
our arrangement of two periods,
one at midday and the other in the
evening, has been found sufficient
by those who desire reasonable re-
freshTnent and nothing more. AMI
those are of course the vast major
ity OF drinkers We are not out 10
interfere with them. II is the IOafer
and sOaker who would drink II he
could from dawn TO dusk, who in
tcrferes with national efficiency and
whom we are out to stop. / think
we have succeeded in that
Drinking on an empty stomach.
he remarked. was one cause of in
toXication which the hours fixed Tor
the sale Of liquor tend TO check
Those hours are from noon TO ESQ
and from $50 to $50 in the eve
ming. Most drinks consequently are
taken with meals.
ON charts illustrating the tent
perauce advance in England and
Wales. Lord D'Abernon traced the
decline OF ills incident TO alcohol
ism. THE delirium tremens and aI-
cohol mortality figures" he said,
are Of special Importance as show
ing that there cannot have been any
i. -. IL
from the public house 10 the home.
He thought that the abolition OF
treating had also contributed large
lv 10 the gain in temperance. This
measure" he said. Had as its CD
Jective the elimination of the Gus
tom whereby groups OF workers
after receiving their weeks wages.
spent a considerable part OF il in
standing their corners until each
member OF the party had in turn
paid FOR drinks all rOund-tO the
detriment both of their working ef-
1ciency and OF the happiness OF.
their wives ana families The won
derfuI sobriety of the army and
navy is due in no small degree 70
the restrictions on treating
Reason For Satisfaction.
Altogether, We have much reg-
son for satisfa elton. Under condi-
tlous which on previous occasions
mad led 10 a great increase of in
tcmperance-the sreat demand Tor
labor plenutude OF money, perpet-
u&I excitement and strain-we in
this country are able 10 record au
unprecedented decrease of intern
perauce. There has been great
saving OF national efficiency. q great
saving OK lite. and Improvement in
the public health.
40 similar progress has. so far
ass j ann aware. been accomplished
IN any country at any period. The
British have shown their cOmpre-
hension OF the vital Importance OF
naximum t.ficiencv hy accepting