The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1918-07-05

lSect1OnS, Wnerc there is larger Tor
eign population than anywhere else.
When Prohibition was put into effect
in West Virginia and other coal fields,
the prediction was freely made that it
would result in inefficiency and the
foreign-born people would so protest
against the taking away of what they
called their liberties the mines would
lose in production. But if you would
submit the question to the people in
that country now, it would be carried
by so much larger majority than
before, that there would be no ques-
ton about it. My experience in navy
yards and in private yards building
ships for the navy, proves this obser-
walton.
| SENATOR GRONNA: They seem
to be willing to obey the law in the
coal fields, as they are OH the Pacific
Coast?
Experience Fayors Prohibition
SECRETARY DANIELS: I be-
lieve that the foreign-born population
who are in the navy yards-and they
are very high-class men-even though
they personally would be opposed to
this movement, would say to them
selves, eff my brother who is in the
iarmy and my brother who is in the
navy can have imposed upon them
during the war this condition that he
cannot follow his habits or his tastes,
l am willing to do the same thing"
| have found in this war that there
lis no difference between men in uni
form and men out of uniform, in sup
porting the war, and that it is mis-
understanding of the spirit of the men
in the navy yards or other ship build
] ing yards or in munition plants to
think they would stop their work or
lessen their work by reason of such
Legislation. know them very we'll:
am in very close touch with them.
| visit nearly every navy yard on this
coast every year. know the spirit of
the men; l know their feeling. You
can go into any navy yard on the At
lantic Coast, and you will find men
who would like to have Prohibition
and men who are opposed to it. You
will find varying views like lawyers,
or doctors or business men. But the
opinion that production would be de-
cided by the position is contrary to
all experience. Experience is that eff
fciency is increased. One ounce of
4 experience is worth a pound of opin-
ion.
But when the Congress of the
United States says that two million
soldiers, of varying tastes and opin-
ions, during this war cannot buy a
drink, and if anybody serves it to one
of them, he is a criminal, and when
they say that the 100000 men in the
navy cannot buy drinks, then I do not
think you are encroaching upon any
right of civilian if you impose the
same condition on him during the
war.
Prohibition Improves Conditions in
| Coal Fields
| SENATOR GRONNA: Speaking
of the coal miners of West Virginia,
Mr.. Secretary, just before you came
in, Senator Sutherland made state
|ment and his testimony corroborated
yours, that the conditions in the coal
fields of West Virginia had improved
with Prohibition.
! SECRETARY DANIELS: That is
lmy understanding. The same thing is
true in ship building as in all other in
dustries. This opinion is built upon
Experience of more than five years in
the navy.
| SENATOR JOHNSON: And that
the people who condemned it then are
recommending it now-largcly?
! SENATOR GRONNA: Yes, favor
ling it now?
| SECRETARY DANIELS: That is
the experience everywhere. Many
good men think at first it is going to
make great deal of trouble when it
comes, particularly in war time, and
the men say, IF do not like it, it
promotes the good of the country in
carrying on the war" Opinion crys-
talizes in favor of temperance legisla-
ton.
Should Turn Every Resource to Win
1 War
In my judgment we ought not dur
ling the war use bushel of wheat for
Anything except prime necessity,
whether it is drink or eating; we
fought not to use car in America for
anything except to win the war; and
] every man employed in the industry