New-York tribune., 1918-04-21
TIME Tribune has sent ques-
tionnaire to men and women

tloIlIlalIe 10 men ana women
of many professions and posi-
tions in life, usually without any
previous knowledge of their con-
victions on the subject of prohibi-
ton. The aim was not so much
to take straw vote on the federal
amendment as to collect as many
different types of information and
responsible opinion as possible.
In this, the questionnaire has
been notably successful. The re-
plies contain views and data, COM
ing with the weight of much au-
thority, which are rarely men
toned in the ordinary prohibition
controversy.
The poll divides pretty evenly
pro and con. But it was perhaps
a little surprising that the weight
of medical opinion was rather op-
posed to prohibition than favor
able. Physicians admit the manifest
evils which flow from overindul.
gence in strong drink. They di-
vide somewhat on the question
whether the extent of these evils
has been exaggerated, and still
more as to the alleged evil of "mod-
crate indulgence" But they recog-
nize, more than one would have
supposed, other factors, social and
psychological, not directly con-
cerned with their profession.
The Psychologists
Have Their Say
Indeed, the great surprise of the
whole canvass is the prominence of
the psychological compensation"
argument. This, advanced vigorously
by DR.. Edison, appears again and
again in some form in the comments
of others, physicians and educators,
as we'll as psychologists. These au-
thorlties assert that alcohol provides
convenient and relatively harmless
consolation, or fancied consolation.
to carry man over the periods of
depression and exhaustion which are
inevitable in our highly strenuous
modern life. In this it may per-
form a valuable practical service,
but more considerable is it's psycho-
logical service to society. For the
impulses toward rebellion, toward
kicking over the Traces" which
are set up by the strain of strenuous
living, exhaust themselves pleasur-
ably in moderate alcoholic indul-
gence, whereas they might other
wise take more serious form. Some
measure of belief in this allegation
is implied in large proportion of
the replies received.
DR.. Abraham jacob, who is now
in his eighty-eighth year, writes
tartly. He believes that prohibition
would not increase the general
health and happiness Of the nation,
and adds, "No autocracy ever does" I"
Ut will be recalled that DR.. Jacob
was identified with the German
revolutionary movement of 1848,
and was detained in Berlin on a
charge of "high treason" against
His Prussian Majcsty) DR.. jacob
believes that many find an indispen-
sable solace in liquor and that the
evils alleged to flow therefrom are
exaggerated. Nobody knows, he
adds, what evils would follow COM
plete suppression, for "Maine never
had it, and Judgment does not
count" Further, according to DR..
Jacob, nobody says that prohibition
would increase the mental and bod
lily vigor of the nation except pro-
hibitionists, "some Of whom" he is
nevertheless convinced, "are honest"
How Other Doctors
| View the Case
DR.. J. Byrne likewise believes
that prohibition would do more
harm than good since it would bring
about obstruction of individual
liberty" and 'intolerable paternal-
ISM" DR.. Robert Abrahams, though
he believes that the evils of the use
of liquor have not been exaggerated,
is still convinced that prohibition
would not foster the national well
fare. DR.. Carlos r. Macdonald ac-
| cnnts 4ha game diapnoais of the evila