New-York tribune., 1918-06-26

the men has been greatly improved.
DR.. Dinwiddie denied that the Pro-
hibitionists were endeavoring to take
advantage of the war to press the
legislation, but said that if the manu-
facture Of beer alone was stopped
forty million bushels of foodstuifs
would be saved.
s. s. Kresge, business man Of De-
troit, said the amount of crime in that
city has not only been greatly, reduced
since Michigan became dry, but that
labor has become more efficient, and
other business men expressed similar
views.
Mr.. Hurley and other officials ap-
peared to support the statement made
several days ago by cambridge Colby,
member of the Shipping Board. which
led the committee to reopen hearings
on the amendment.
"lf merely private interests were af-
fccted," Mr.. Hurley said, 81 have no
come the prohibition experiment.
at is not private business, but the
country's business in great war emer-
gency with which am concerned. and |
am unwilling in this crisis to stand
sponsor for any experiment with the
personal liberty Of nearly half a mill
ion men in the shipyards and contrib
uting Industries, on whom we are rely
ing to put through the biggest shipping
programme in the history Of this or
any other nation.
"All the states are now taking what
virtually amounts to referendum or
the constitutional amendment, which
is pending before the legislatures. l.
the states act favorably upon it the
workmen can have no feeling tha,
there has been lack Of fair play. Tn,
result sought by the proposal befor,
the Senate committee then will b,
achieved gradually and with ampl
notice for the accommodation Of habit
and temperament
ITO my mind there is more risk il
this proposal than there would be il
.. the conscription of labor, because it j
partial interference with libert
without any increase Of control.
"The sudden taking away Of ligh
wines and beer from the foreign ele
ment in the yards. Of which there is
very large proportion, will, fear, hav
a wrenching effect on the whole pro
gYamme.
mo nation engaged in this worl
, ed such an experiment. Nor can w
gentlemen, afford to experiment wit
nations destiny. We feel that tn
work OF the moment is too importan
for the diversion of any energy int
: an investigation or controversy owe
the frailties of human nature"
: Mr.. Hurley, answering pany ques
= tions by prohibition advocates on tn
. committee, said the chief labor diff
= cultics in shipbuilding had occurred i
the dry" territory 1t was brough
out that 125,265 men are employed 8
r shipyards in prohibition states an
: 290157 in "wet" territorv
b When Postmaster General Burleso
@ was called he said he knew practical
= nothing about the Jones amendmen
Q and indicated he was rather surprise
d TO have been summoned as a witnes.
|, Deploring the discussion of Pre-
: hib!tion in connection with the comm
;. elections, MIR. Burleson declared tn
|, prohibitionists should not capitaliz
t war in order to bring about thei
G hobby. He continued:
4 Il don't believe in class legislatio,
n Brandy and wine are regarded as bev
eragcs of the rich and beer Of tn
S poor. IL prohibition is necessary t
i win the war I'd vote for it, but
u | had any doubts I'd hesitate Ion
= time. This is no time to have pc
d thence with fanatics or to listen to es
s tremists. II we listen to extremist
and do foolish things II might della
the end Of the war many months"
Percy II. Johnston, vice president o
= the Chemical National Bank of Ne,
York. speaking for 8 committee q
9 bankers from the principal cities. tol
. the committee an absolute prohibitio
!. amendment forbidding the withdrawn
4 OF spirits from bond would result i
, financial catastrophe, throwing man