Omaha daily bee., 1918-02-19
PROHIBITION IS
GREAT SUCCESS,
CLERGYMENS SAY
r!inisteriaI Union Answers
Stand of Catholic @Iergy
With Resolution Endors.
ing Anti-Liquor Law.

Replying to the anti-prohibition
statements of Archbishop Harty and
other prominent Catholic clergymen
published in The Bee week ago,
the Omaha Ministerial union Monday
unanimously adopted a resolution de-
claring that prohibition has already
proved great success in Nebraska.
The resolution states that, while
the law is violated like all other laws,
police statistics prove that it has, in a
few months, brought abou; an enor-
nous improvement in public morals.
The words of Mayor Dahlman are
quoted among those who were for
1nerly the friends of the liquor traffic
In hearty endorsement of the eff
tlcacy of prohibition.
The resolution was introduced by
Rev: F. 0. WinSlow, who stated that
it was done to show the public that
the Protestant churches stand solidly
behind the prohibition movement, as
they have stood behind other great re-
forms which were decried in their
day and are now universally accepted
as, necessities of civilization and hui
;nanitarlaniSm.
The resolution in part is as fol-
lows:
"A brief comparison between the
past and present of Nebraska history
will reveal.to any thinking person the
wonderful progress made in business,
education and public morals; and the
last is by no means the least.
Steady Improvement.
Such aradical change could hardly
be expected to effect all reforms for
which the prohibition laws stand in
a period of only few months. Nat
urally all eyes have been turned upon
Omaha, the metropolis of Nebraska.
We realize that our great city is far
from paradise and that this pro-
hibitory law is constantly violated as
is every other law on the statute
books. But we are glad to note a sure
and steady Improvement along these
lines and it is with pleasure that we
quote the words OF those who for
merly were the friends of the liquor
traffic. On October II. 1917, the
mayor of Omaha stated; "Prohibition
works out all right. Our city was
never in better condition. My argu-
ments for the saloon are all knocked
to pieces" A statement from the
police force on January 2, 1918, is
made to the effect that city condi-
tions are much improved over pre-
vious years; only Il arrests were made
on New Years day as against 81 one
year ago.
Therefore, Be it resolved that this
Ministerial Union of Omaha places it.
self on record as emphatically against
any movement made to uphold and
perpetuate business that is fast be-
coming an outlaw, that befouls So
ciety, debauches men and is an enemy
to our government
Rev. G. A. Hubert of the Central
Congregational church brought up
the question of whether there is a
Joker" in the national prohibition
amendment.
81 was told by a prominent bust
ness man that with the proposed
amendment passed. the distillers of
Canada or any other foreign country
can ship any amount of liquor di-
rect to the homes of Our citizens
and do it legally" he said.
This phase of the prohibitory
amendment will be looked up and |
a report will be made at the next
meeting.
The union voted to have 10 orna-
mental billboards placed in various
parts of the city. Each board is to
be 80 feet long and 10 feet high and
to bear the legend Come to Church"
with a picture. After year other
paintings are to be placed on them,
such as "The Prodigal Som. and
Ruth and Naomi" The business
men are to be asked to paw for them.