The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-11-02
DO YOUR DUTY ON.
BOOZE QUESTION

Whether or not the state of Nevada
shall set its seal of approval upon the
fearful economic waste inseperably
connected with the liquor business, a
waste not only of money but of food
stuffs and man power, during a period
in which the whole energies of the
nation are vitality needed for the pros
ecution of the war and the reconstruc-
ton that must inevitably follow, is a
question before every voter of this
state at this time.
The issue involved is one of the
most important that has ever been
laid before the people of Nevada and
the vote cast November upon the
initiative bill will decide whether they
prefer the wasteful business of the
saloon and its attendant demoraliza-
ton in business and politics or the
delivery of the full power of the state
is accomplishing the heavy tasks at
hand.
| According to the governments own
statements there are needed today
over a million additional men to op-
crate industries vitally essential to
winning the war.
Nevada herself was never so short
of labor to operate her mines, farms
and great livestock industries, and yet
her saloons are employing thousands
of able-bodied men capable of essen
tial war work whom the liquor dealers
are selfishly trying to retain in a
business that is one hundred per cent
waste.
The conversion of millions of
bushels of grain and millions of
pounds of sugar into intoxicating Ii
quors during the war period, at
time when the distressed allies of this
country have been on the verge of
starvation for foodstuffs, has been
national scandal. And during this
very period of waste every house
holder in America and every man and
woman who is required to eat in pub
| lie dining rooms, has been compelled
to stint and save in the use of -four
and sugar, an example which the
liquor interests impudently declare
| should not apply to them.
Let others save food" LET others
save labor" is the real effect of their
cry. The nation may need a million
men for war industries Nevada may
need thousands of men for her ranches
and ranges to produce grain and live
stock to feed the armies! The mines
and mills may need double the num-
Der of operatives to supply the coun-
| try and the armies with metals, but
| let US run our business of waste un-
| molested lest you infringe upon the
personal liberties of the people!
Personal liberty! Was the term
ever debased to a lower use? What
do the liquor interests care about your
| personal liberty?" Have they ever
before been so gravely concerned
| about the maintenance of a great po-
litical principle?
Will they lead campaign to re-
store the unlimited use of morphine,
cocaine and opium to the unfortunate
drug fiends because the denial of their
use by the government. except for
medicinal purposes. infringes upon
their personal liberty?
Personal liberty nothingl Their
total conception of the term is TN
restricted license to waste food and
man power, and interfere in elections,
without regard to political ideals. in
| order that they may make profits out
of business which contributes moth
ing to the public wealth but which
lives upon the toll of every man that
works at productive labor.
The present initiative bill should be
enacted by an overwhelming majority
o. the voters of Nevada The bill is
a copy of that of West Virginia and
alr1ost wholly similar to the laws that
have Teen enacted IN tue pas: dee ade
by other states that have abolished
the traffic in liquor.
1t properly provides for its enforce
ment and no person can be molested
under its provisions unless he engages
in the illegal business of boot-legging.
1t provides that any person can bring
grapes into the state and manufacture
| therefrom wines for his own home
use
On the other hand, however, it abso-
lutely prohibits the sale and use of
beer and whiskey except for medicinal
purposes, and will, if enacted by the
people, absolutely wipe out the saloon.
No voter should be deluded by the
false statements made by the liquor
dealers that the nation will go dry
anyway next July. No suuch law has
been passed. A bill of that character
is now pending in congress but has
(C0nsinuad on Papa EOurl