The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-04-02
DETRO|T'S MAYOR TELLS
HOW DRY LAW WORKS
oops JUST RETURNED

Some idea OF the benefits lal sc wet
cities may expect TO enjoy after July
may be gotten from the experience
Of Detroit under prohibition.
James Couzens, the mayor of De-
Urolt, recently gave TO the United
Frees n statement showing the effect
Of saloons closing in his city.
Those who fear that prohibition will
bo very had for large cities should
study the following facts about dry
Detroit as given in the M ayor's state
rent:
Detroit was the FIRST Of the mil
Lon class cities to go dry. The first
Of May, 1913, saw LOO saloon IT,
'enses automatically Cancelled. While
the war days and their abnormal ac-
tlVities have tended to obscure the
direct concrete results Of prohibition.
my daties us police commissioner and
mayor have shown me no permanent
damage to the city's prosperity. On
he contrary. have before me the
data to prove that the city has bene-
hted enormously.
Petty crime In Detroit has been
reduced by from SO 10 10 per cent
The house Of correction previously
was OVERLOOKING and in need OF ex-
pansion. Now the commissioners find
their charges number only one-third
E. he former total.
The visiting nurses of the board
Of health report tho Improvement in
home conditions as beyond their
greatest expectations. Child welfare
has received an impetus which mil
lions OF dollars in appropriations could
not have effected
detroit III erChantS report a greater
business from the working classes
thon ever before. and the hanks show
greatly increased number OF de-
pos tors. There arc those who believe
that high wages in war plants have
brought this about, but it Is my per-
sonal opiniol as Il hanker, manufac-
turer and city official that prohibit
ton should have equal credit with
war wages, Collections also have been
| improved.
The manufacturers were told that
prohibition would bring a labor. short
age, but this has been disproven.
f, Factory records show conclusivefy
that the elifniua ton of liquor has re-
duccd hardness, absence and acct
cents IN the plants, to say nothing OF
production increase.
The commissioner of health states
that there is no increase in the num-
Der addicted to drugs.
There IL bootlegging OF liquor, but
4 has not been more prevalent than
expected, and should be reduced to
a minimum when Ohio and Toledo
become dry.
NO large hotels have gone out OF
business, While they felt a reaction
for 81 tx g. they are gradually re-
cuperat rg. The majority of the
downtown cafes and saloons OF good
reputation have continued In opera
ton. Several OF the largest retain
their cabarsts although they are not
on the lavish scale Of former times
Real estate values have not been per-
niancdtly ,ftected.
The elm nation Of vice has been
aided by prohibition. Detroit abol-
ished her tenderloin before prohihi-
ticn came. but the dry edict guaran-
teeo that abolition.
The tt eater business has been bet
ter than ever.
The Lest indication of the class
which frohiLitiot, bias Its greatest eff
feet among is given by the statement
OF the manager OF a taxicab COM
pany He says that his business was
cut so per cent
Detroit can OF trace the harm
pr ,hilntion RAY have done, but 1t
can sense the good effects, aud the
frcatest of tltse viii not arrive until
,hc present srnaI, IN of children has
.snn 7. lite" yelop in homes
unr,cffsted fy suhn Fgrfeycnrri''