Evening journal., 1919-06-27
20 REASONS WHY
men GET DRUNK
Probation Officers Give Re-
suits Of Study Covering
Long Period
FAMILY ROWS ARE
ONE OF THE CAUSES

SONERVlLLE, Mass, June 27-Twen-
ty-six reasons answering the eternal
question: why do men get drunk ?"
have been promulgated by William
Preble yones. probation officer Of the
somerville Police Court. who has
studied the problem intimately for
many years. Here are the underlying
reasons:
4. They want liquor and they will
have H. But II is an acquired taste.
After taking the FIRST drink Of whisky
in his life nobody ever hankered for
the second, although he learned after
ward 10 like H.
,. They need their beer or ale 20
relieve thirst, so they say. Very often
this Is true.
3. The doctor ordered whisky for
them once upon a time, and that pre-
scription lasts forever and for all
things. Whether IL is chilblains or
toothache. cramps or pain, stomach
ache-as some men tell the iudge-in-
fuenza or rupture, or "pleurisy' way
down in their abdomen, whisky is their
panacea
:. Financial troubles OF every name
and description.
,. Family rows. Husband is Jealous
generally without cause. Wife buys too
many things on the instalment plan
Perhaps there Is a star boarder. The
daughters gentleman callers are OBJ
iectionable TO the old man. His nlthy
talk and vile accusations. absolutely in
separable form the booze habit. break
up the family life and lead to more
drink on his part.
6. Bad weather. Too hot, too cold,
too stormy. etc.
T. Death in the household a very fire.
quent cause Of drink.
s. Wife is going 70 have a baby. The
poor husband loses his nerve Just when
his assistance is most needed and the
patrol wagon lugs him off TO the police
station.
Q. Disappointed in love After his
best girl Tilted him Charlie squared
things up with her by getting drunk.
10. Religious disagreements.
Il. To many conviyial companions
Drinking then may he classed among
the contagious diseases.
70. Celebrating a holiday, a birthday
or the like.
wedding or christening.
ii-Fear or ridicule and the jeers OF
friends
i5. Fear Of arrest or a summons TO
appear in court.
i6. Fear OF an impending operation
or a tooth extraction.
n. A desire 90 be smart, tough, or
the real thing.
IS. Because a stranger offered him
the liquor
10. Because Of unusual hardships
and other disaereeable features con-
nected with their Job. Herein lies
every imaginable excuse.
20. To stimulate an appetite. II can't
cat anything unless have ball FIRST
or Il can't eat fried stun"
2i. To encourage sleep.
p. To brace up his courage gener-
ally or 10 gOrget his sOrrows.
%. Many men, such as teamsters or
icemen. deliver goods at the saloon or
are constantly driving by the door, so
that the temptation is always with
them.
p. Because the saolon Is a social
center and a very convenient one at
that. He must be a mighty cheap
sport who won't support the institu-
tion which ne frequenis.
p. The saloon is a convenient bank
inc Institution for borrowing money or
cashing checks. The favored person, Of
course. returns the kindness by buying
a few drinks.
26 For countless thousands Of men
the saloon is the public comfort station,
providing the only available toilet ac-
Communications during business hours
and omen tfl A. o'clock at night This
is one Of the chief causes Of drinking
and is a feature Of the problem that
most Of the temperance and prohibi-
tion people fail TO consider.