The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-25
FOREIGN EXPORTERS
DIFFER ON DRY LAW
Some Rivals Of L. s. See Our
Shipments Drop as Others
Expect Increase.
ALL ANGLES CONSIDERED
COnsuls and Observers Here
Report on Prohibitions
Effect.
ALL ANGLES CONSIDERED

Effects OF a dry United States on the
country's productive capacity and it's
re ultant influence on export trade are
being considered from all angles by
Americas rivals In foreign trade, ac-
cording to reports coming here from
other parts of the world and from the
instructions given to Consuls in the
United States to make returns on the
situation. Some Of the foreign observers
believe that Americas competing powers
will be iinmea surably heightened by the
dry wave. while others see a lessening
Of output, especially in fundamentals
such as coal, ore and lumber besides an
Injurious effect on the common labor.
In some cases the opinions are influ-
enced largely by the leaninss OF those
who pass judgment and by the differ
ent conditions prevailing in other coun-
tries In relation to the liquor trade and
consumption as compared with the
United States. But in most instances
an attempt has been made to view the
matter dispassionately from a hard and
fast business standpoint.
Opponents Of any curtailment in the
sales of liquor in England appear to
see Il connection between the war time
restrictions and the labor demands and
unrest in their country. They clinch
their contention by pointing to the fact
that Food Controller Clynes when re-
linquishing his post to G. H. Roberts
save an opinion in agreement OF that
OF labor leaders that there must he
more beer. cheaper beer and better beer
English advocates of restrictions on
DIR nix call on the Government to super
Wise the manufacture and sale of all in
toSlcants. They say that before the
war Great Britain spent S750.o00,000 a
year for liquors and that nearly all was
waste" Government control, they con-
tend, would withhold all indictments 10
the sale OF liquor. private profits would
disappear and a man would get drink
Just as now he gets postage stamp or
money order.
Sees U. 8. n More Serious Rival.
In the data sent 10 one British OBJ.
server In this country are the following
quotations from a British manufa cturer
who employs many men in the steel in
dustry and whose exports before thu
war ran into millions OF dollars:
America. in my opinion. will become
more serious rival OF other exporting
countries by ruling out entirely an ex-
penditure that Is tremendously wasteful
The steady and constant outflow OF
money on a luxury Is bound to have an
economical effect.
America already has challenged
every other industrial nation to a hard
encounter by her Industrial arts, her
Standardization and other expedients
which have enabled her to produce
things cheaply. although all the elements
OF production are dear. II is a dire out
look for Britain to night this competition
with one hand tied behind her back.
Reports sent to me indicate that the
efficiency OF workers in America Is re-
duced by drink. just as II Is In this
country. One feature that cannot es-
cape any one in England Is that the
shorter working hours now being
&, anted combined with the higher wages
and the lure of drink result in decreased
output Men have more time to drink
and have more money. causing an In
crease in laying Off after a particu-
larly long session at the public house.
That's where We are made TO suffer.
The expense caused to manufacturers
by idleness as the result OF drink cannot
be estimated by man not in the busi-
ness"
Facts are given on the other hand to
show that an Englishman regards his
drink the same as many workers in
other countries look upon their food
Drawing n parallel the liquor advocates
appear to see that the same obtains in
the United States and that the country
will suffer industrially from the ban.