The Greeneville daily sun. (Greeneville, Tenn.) 1918-1920, 1919-11-15
Brazil May Be
Next Dry Nation

RIO DE JANERlO, Nov. 15.-(By
United Press. Brazil, following the
example of the United States, may be
the second American republic to adopt
prohibition.
The campaign against alcohol was
launched by President Epitacio Pes
soa in his last message to Congress
and was Immediately taken up with
vigor by the majority OF
the press of the country Alarmed
by the determined attacks of press
and statesmen, the ''quor interests
are already raising the cry of per
sonal liberty" and the same campaign
which resulted in "dry" United
States promises to be enacted to the
bitter finish in Brazil.
In his message to congress Presi-
dent Pessoa cited the example of the
United States in adopting a consti'
tutiona amendment prohibiting the
manufacture and saie of alcoholic
drinks and suggested to the Brazilian
congress that the time has come for
the legislative body of Brazil to grap-
pie with the problem. He indicated,
however, that the extreme difficulty
Of obtaining amendments to the Bra
lillian constitution made it more prac-
teal to tax the booze industry to
death than to legislate prohibition
of manufacture and sale,
President Pessoa's suggestions for
high taxation on the booze industry
were supported by statements show
inc that one of the essential tasks of
the present Brazilian congress is to
find a way to increase the govern
ment's revenues am 70 reduce its
expenditures
AS the first step of carrying out
the presidents suggestions, Deputy
Juyenal Lamartine has offered bill
In the chamber of deputies doubling
the federal tax on beer ana light wine
an j tripling the taxes on liquors and
other strong alcoholic drinks. 1t is
reported that the bill has excellent
chances Of being voted into law.
In the campaign Of propaganda
against alcohol which has been inaug.
urated in the prec9 all of the argu-
ments that were used in the United
States, together with sone new ones
and other peculiar to local condi.
tons. are being expounded.
The ants, for instance, are quot
ing statistics showing the infant NOR
tality due to alcohol, liability to dis
ease, insanity and crime because Of
the same scourge. In addition they
are calling attention to the fact that
the eight-hour labor '4w is in force
in practically all OF Brazil and they
are urging means OF preventing the
working classes from devoting their
new found leisure hours to the at
fractions Of the saloon and tavern.
The argument is also being used that
in general the Brazilians themselves
are very moderate drinkers, but that
excessive drinking prevails to a re-
grettable degree in the huge foreign
, colonies domiciled here.
1t is argued that the most severe
, restrictions should be placed on al
cohol. if for no other reason than
to enable the country to more easily
handle the huge tide of immigration
which the signing Of peace turned TO-
ward Brazil. 1t is declared that many
"undesirables," who are not content
to emigrate to a dry" United States
will seek the greater freedom OF
, South America and that therefore il
is up to the government to be on it,
guard.
In order that legitimate industry
may not suffer the Lamartine bill pro.
vides that denatured alcohol shall bt
exempt from taxation.
Coincident with the anti-booz'
fight strong campaign against thu
social evil has been launched, and i
is quite possible that in the not dis
tant future government control vii
be established similar to that in fore,
in many European countries,
nroft Of $4,000 per acre.