Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1919-02-14

wet nor dry about the results since
the state became dry May 1, and he
will frankly admit that the city has
been benefited industrially, morally,
physically and spiritually since prohi-
bition became effective.
Ask the same average citizen what
torce has been most effective in max
ing prohibition a success in Michigan,
and he will just as frankly admit that
without the mounted State Rural Po-
lice the record in law enforcement
that has exceeded the expectations Of
friends of prohibition and confounded
It's enemies would not have been at
tanned.
The records here offer indisputable
evidence that arrests for crimes at
tributable to alcoholism have been
greatly decreased in the dry regime,
managers Of hospitals and children's
homes and other public institutions
here point out many benefits to men,
women and children that have accrued
since May 1. Pastors also see big
Tend toward the churches by many
who never entered the portals while
liquor abounded In the city.
Employment managers assert labor
has been stabilized and the labor turn
over has been reduced. Men who ap-
ply for positions are better dressed,
cleaner and are clear-eyed. Credit man.
ayers say accounts are paid more
regularly and that bad debts have de-
creased. Bankers that opposed prohi-
bition in the prediction campaign
have been converted to it by records
In their own institutions, which show
\ big increase in deposits by working
men.
Bright-eyed, healthy little children,
their cheeks glowing from the infu-
ence Of nutritious foods, attest what
prohibition has done in homes that
formerly were impoverished by drunk
enness. Mothers, who were forced to
work on account Of Incorporate hus-
bands, are now with their children and
at home, while the men are sober and
in the factory or Office.
All these things did not come just
naturally under prohibition. When the
saloons closed in Detroit on May 1.
and the breweries shut down, there
were just as many people here who
desired to drink as in the days of free
trade in the liquor traffic. There were
=, many others, enemies of prohibition
on guard to get evidence that could
be used against the policy in future
efforts to overthrow the dry regime
Bootleggers were encouraged by some
Of the former wet leaders to ply their
traffic for the purpose of bringing pro
hibition into bad repute, and profes
sional dry blockade runners came to
Michigan and Detroit to ply thei1
trade.
In substance, all the forces needed
to bring the prohibition law into disre
pute focked to Detroit and other Mich
igan cities, and they may be expected
to go to Ohio when the saloons Gloss
In that state on May 27. This has beer
the history in all statey voted dry, anC
Ohio must be on guard.
The experience in Detroit has dem
onstrated beyond cavil that the ONLY
method to assure permanent prohibi
ton is to enforce the law. Such ;
policy has created respect for tn,
measure. Lax enforcement of dr..
measures, an extensive traffic in boot
Logging, winking at violations and ;
weak law will bring the doom of pro
hibition as sure as the sun rises ant
sets, says Cyrus p. Keen, superintend
ent of the Michigan Anti-Salool
League.
Michigan drys acted on this theor.
and they proceeded to create tn
stronest law enforcement body tha
could be devised. A commission studie,
this problem, and after inquiring int
the work of the Pennsylvania Stat
Mounted Rural Police, a thorough
efficient law enforcement body and
, terror to all evil.doers, it was recon
mended that such an organization
created in Michigan.
The state war board followed tn
recommendations, and before prohib
, ton became effective, it created fou
troops OF mounted police, numberin
( approximately $50 men, under th
: command of Col. r. c. Vandercool
! These troops are officered after tn
manner of the old state militia, an
they have become a terror to ev
doers, but they enjoy the respect an
confidence Of the average Michiga
a man and woman to a degree ths
makes certain the electorate woul
never dispense with their services
Great CREDIT is due to prosecutir
e attorneys of the counties, the polio
and detectives attached to city admi
e istrations for their work in helping
enforce prohibition laws, but this
what Fred L. Woodward, State Foo
l. and Drug Inspector, in charge of Il
enforcement Of dry laws, has to 81
i about the Michigan State Rural P
/ lice:
When prohibition became effecti'
r here our problem was no small on
We still had as many drinkers, and
: addition. had an influx of an eleme
: that came for the express purpose
- selling liquor at an exorbitant pri
4 to the thirsty. In addition, professio
h al bootleggers came here to impo
;e alcoholic beverages. That is ju
d what happens in every dry state, and
l. will happen in Ohio, as sure as liy
n The Michigan boundary line Is lol
n