New-York tribune., 1918-04-22

knows not only New W York Ser bu but the the
less densely settled sections is
aware. real menace to the
country. Legislation. state and ma
tional, does little more than check its
spread II 1T does mora than make the
securing of drugs more difficult.
Again, it must make for discomfort
among the masses. For one thing, the
man IN the tenements is and has for
generations been used to the saloon as
a, place of social gathering. What will
the ,prohlbitionists give him in it,;
stead? He has been used to a social
glass with his friends in his home or
with his meals. What substitute will
ne be given for this? In other words, |
do not for moment think it safe, from,
the STANDPOINT Of general contentment
and happiness, not to say word about
the fairness, to deprive men of their
means of relaxation without providing
something to take its place
90 not know anything of the COM
parative amounts of drinking in the
countries now at war, and with your
permission will respectfully leave ques-
tlon No. to be answered by the psy-
biologists.
For the reasons above stated do not.
to answer question No. 6, look for any
increase in mental or physical vigor 20
follow prohibition. On the contrary. |
look for general letting down in eff
cheney should that unfortunate state Of
affairs come to pass, at time much 20
be regretted, when nothing should be
done that will in any way disturb the
general equilibrium or tend to create
dissatisfaction and discomfort.
Inc people OF this country now face
i If1Jo
troubles. 1t is not a time to try great
eXperlments-unless we wish to aid the
enemy by creating more or less wide
spread discomfort.
PAUL A. VACARELLI,
Vice-President international Long
shoremen's Association.
DR.. Frederick w. Seward, Of
Goshen, N. Y, believes that alcohol
in its relation to eugenics is an often
overlooked element of farreaching
Importance, which alone would con-
demn its use and tolerance by intel
llgent persons.
To the Editor of The Tribune
Sir: Permit me to refer to one phase Of
the subject which is infrequently mem
toned, and yet which, in my judgment,
is the most important, farreaching and
destructive element.
l refer to alcohol in its relation to
eugenics.
Up here in Orange County one of the
important branches of animal industry
is the breeding and development Of
horses and cattle. Results are obtained
,f,;o
physical perfection of sire and dam.
Any circumstance or condition which
would tend to impair, even in the
slightest degree, the vitality Of either
the one or the other is mediately
and most properly set aside or over
come.
Scientific experiments, numerously
and intelligently and most thoroughly
carried out, have demonstrated that
even the moderate injection of alcohol
by the human subject weakens muscu-
lar force and endurance or efficiency
This IS consequent upon the effect of
alcohol upon the central nervous sys-
tenn, the vitality and functional action
of which it positively impairs This
being so, there can be no question as
to the unfortunate effect Of the use
of alcohol by the parent upon the off
spring, and we are now beginning to
understand one of the most prevalent
and potent causes of human degen-
eracy.
When we add to this consideration
the manifold evils, social, criminal and
financial, which result from the use of
alcohol, we are amazed that so mon
'strous and destructive an agent can
hold tolerance among intelligent be-
ings. F. W. SEWARD, MI