The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-03-06
AWAIT FOR US BEFORE VOTING
 !. REFORMS" SAY SOLDIER BOYS

Direct from the heart of sol d.er comes a gripping story full of human interest that calls out to inc people of this country not to. forget the millions of youths who have gone away 10 fight the battles of nations and not to vote out the things that have been dear and near to them in the hours of trouble. He questions why the prohibition amendment was voted on before the soldier boys re- turned and why the country is about tu start another fight on tobacco re lardless of the boys outCry 10 wait For them so that they may voice their views regarding matters that concerns them.
 The story is told in a letter that comes from John NJ. OHearn. form erIy license prescription clerk at Joseph D. Hartigans on the corner of Main and Congress streets. and now with the medical corp stationed at base hospital 91 in France. He was one O. the local boys who left with the first contingent from Camp Deveus for France in August, 1918.
 The letter which is written very Interestingly tells of many instances where the boys looked 10 the cigarette for consola ton which gave them spirit to carry on the fight and he speaks for all the soldiers who are still Over There.
 The letter in part follows:
 'I have read of the great reform that is sweeping the states now" IFS a joke" and still very few of the boys here are laughing at it. The slackers. draft dodges and flag way +ga vote on the prohibition amendment, but the three or four million soldiers who were fighting to make the world safe for Democracy" were not given an opportunity to voice their seut- ments. Ye Gods, does q man lose all rights of citizenship while he "a lighting the nations batles2
 This was a very important sub iect in many ways, and a very poor time to act on it. I maintain that 1t was unjust in every way, shape and form. They took advantage of the men being away and unable to de feud their opinion. Were I to write this to any one else they might get the impression that I was a Ioafer and booze fighter but l need make TO defence to youS you know me bet ter than that. But I do believe in personal rights
 Now that we have made the T. <. safe for the prohibtIons, they are about to add insult to injury. They are starting a fight on tobacco in every form. What Is the world com Ing to? If we stay away much long CT those patriots will vote away our birthrights. I read tSAaevrsicle In yes- terdays editorials of the Paris TrI- bune, contributed by g Dr. C. T. Will son who has the title of General sec- retary of the Board of Temperance of the Methodist Episcopal church. He cries that cigarettes did not win the war. How does he kno%vhether they did or not. I'll bet my old o. D. shirt that he fought his share of the war. sitting in a nice morris chair. What does he know about what we poor 'cootfes' soldiers craved for after several hours in shell hole, clothes torn. shoes full of water. nerves on edge waiting for the command that will send Us out of our shelter again, perhaps to eternity.
 Does he know the request of the poor mangIed and shell-torn soldier upon being brought in on a litter to the hospital? I can tell him it was Give me a cigarette. Buddie' Ninety out of every 100 if they had enough breath left, asked for the precious cigarette
 This pr. Wilson says people are resenting the forcing of cigarettes on soldiers unaccustomed to tobacco. I have never heard of any one forcing tobacco on any of the soldiers before, and I am safe in saying it is a d lie If such people had only been n a position. where they had something
 
 probably find out the real value of a smoke. If in pain or worried. smoke will make you grit your teeth and bear it. Who was the soldier pal who rode through France with his little old pack of desert horses (Camels).
 T could tell you a number of other instances. but here is one that hit us here ir our own company. One O. our sergeants has been in the hos pital for two and half months with meningitis. As you know the death rate of this dreaded disease is very high and only those with lots of sand" were pulled through. This pal of ours is unconscious most of the time, and when he comes to, the first thing he asks for is a smoke. I have seen many of these eases in the op- eratfng room. Does that look as if tobacco is a detriment to society?
 Many of the boys have been re ceiving news from home that soldiers returning from France are having trouble getting jobs. Strange, Before we sailed some of these flag waners were there with their line your job will be waiting for you when you re- turn
 whats the trouble have they had Q change of mind? Have the gallant patriots taken up all the jobs, or has their amendment effected the pros Derity of the country. If so, they should hurry and abolish cigarettes It might help some need ex-soldier get a job"