The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-12
AN IRRATIONAL CUR
FEW LAW.
Great Moral Advance to BE Won by
Such an Enactment.

| such an Enactment.
To THE EDITOR OF THE SuN-sir: 1t
is clear that we are about to enter upon
an era of dietary international leagues.
We read of the international league
now being organized to abolish the use
OF alcoholic beverages throughout the
| world. Another aims to abolish the use
OF tobacco.
still another, am Informed, seeks
to regulate the kinds and quantity OF
food each person shall eat.
The men who aspire TO direct these
| leagues believe they have been holding
themselves for years as trustees Of
great moral issues under the guidance
OF the Almighty. At least SO they say.
They seek to inject into their meet
ings religious atmosphere. They
make moving pleas. playing upon the
emotions of those they expect to en-
roll as members until often the aspect
OF the meeting at its conclusion is SINH
lar to that of an old fashioned revival
where the saved sinner rolls upon the
floor and shou~ his halielujahs TO the
skies.
1t is related that at a recent meeting
called for the purpose of formulating
plans for an international food league
such narrowing tales were told OF the
horrible effects of overeating that sew
eral of the delegates present expe-
rierced the most violent stomachic per-
tui Dations.
The effect OF too much orange Juice
upon infants between six and eighteen
months was the subject OF a critical dis
course by one of the delegates from
Alaska, and so telling was its presenta-
ton that many were moved to tears.
! 'Itest Indignation was ex-
pre-! 'd NAT these terrible conditions
had been o long permitted to exist.
But It seems to me these dietary
leagues do not strike to the root OF the
matter. The vice OF the whole situation
lies in the opportunities given US TO in
dulge our habits.
What the world needs is not numer-
Gus leagues to control mems habits but
a single powerful league to change
them.
What should be the character of this
single league?
The answer is not difficult.
The crying need OF tho hour is an
International cu.few law.
Let everybody be in bed and asleep
at $3.50 o'clock.
This plan would mako a radical
change In most peoples lives. and that
is Just. what is desired 1t would be a
change that would inevitably lead to
the betterment and uplift Of the race.
1t should be remembered that most
crimes occur after $3.50 O'Clock, post
meridian.
Carefully prepared statistics prove
this statement concluslvely. The rec
ords OF the criminal courts OF Tas-
mania show that between the years
1897 and 1852 120 murders out of
total OF 176 occurred after $50 o'clock
at night.
II Is clear. therefore. that II everybody
was compelled to retire at . 80 o'clock
murders would be comparatively rare
or else would be confined chiefly TO
family circles
burglary and arson would seldom
be heard OF; our divorce courts would
cease to be overcrowded most OF the
fnsidious temptations that now lure in.
nocent youth would vanish: the national
gambling game would die betimes.
ls not such a leac-'o a contamination
deNouily 70 be wished Is Il not more
important 10 mankind than petty leagues
FORMED To prevent men from indulging
IN wlneoibbing and tobacco smoking?
Let an international conference TO
formulate plans for the establishment
ana enforcement of universal cu-few
law be called at once by those uplifters
who are at present concerning them
selves with comparatively unimportant
propaganda. The con 'er~nce should be
held In the City OF Bro :hrrly Love.
Albany, December StAaoS CREyr