The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1919-07-01
LIQUOR BUSINESS
DIR. PHIFER ATTACKED THE
TRAFFIC IN AN ADDRESS
SUNDAY.

VIM. d. Phifer. of Denver, produced
facts to show hat the liquor traffic
is on the verge of collapse not only
in this country, where the wartime
prohibition law and the eighteenth
constitutional amendment have fore
ed it TO a point of surrender, but
also in countries overseas, where,
ing a retreat under heavy attack.
In view of the fact that the nation
was made dry last night at midnight
through the operation of the drastic
wartime restriction, and also, In
view of the knowledge that ON Jan
uary 16, 1920, the nation goes per-
manently dry by constitutional
amendment, the remarks made by
DR.. Phifer were indeed timely and
contained the essence of real truth.
Here follows the substance of his
thoughts:
There are now fifty-six affiliated
prohibition societies in different
parts Of the world under complete
organization and ready to battle for
an international cleanup on booze.
Right now the government at Wash
ington is training 1000 men to as
sist in the strict enforcement of the
legislative dry measures that have
been passed. This means a slim
chance for the bootlegger and the
smuggler. This force will swoop
down on every possible offender.
Not long since there gathered at
the national capital representatives
from every country IN the globe and
the purpose of their assembling was
the organization of combined forces
to attack the liquor business wherever
found. They will work on the policy
that the only remedy for the evil that
follows the manufacture OF alcoholic
beverage is world prohibition.
Even now, down in the state of
Sonora, Mexico. prohibition n~evails,t
and effsctiyely;-b but what is more as
is the fact that the Mex
lean ambassador at Washington,
while in conference with DR.. Phifer
and other committeeman who met to
present him practical ways and
means for making his country dry.
rave his promise to have his govern
ment act in that direction.
Out Of $500 large papers in this
country, 1900 of them absolutely re-
fuse to carry a single line of liquor
advertising. In days gone by, cham
bers of commerce. in boosting for
their town, gave great publicity to
the particular merits of t he high
school, the number of factories in OPP
GRAFTON and the excellence of the paw
ing, ETC., but held back the number
Of saloons supported. 1t is all diff
ferent now. Now, among other pre-
dominant showings, there is included
the fact that their town is dry.
1t is now a significant fact that of
all the states now on the dry list
so per cent of the populations OF
those states voted for prohibition
and that among the sixteen remain
ing wet states. * per cent voted on
the side Of the drys. All western
states voted six to one for dry condi-
tions.
DR.. Phifer did not 60 too far in
pronouncing the liquor traffic the
common ~law-breaker. for defenders
are now engaged In pooling billions
Of dollars to halt woman suffrage
and defeat the arr assessment, an
act which is both cofruptive and
|:
What Europe has in the liquor
business might with better economic
be withdrawn and placed
behind the reconstruction program:
both the labor and the dollars. |:
The liquor traffic never was the
friend of labor for 1t robs from
accumulations. The annual
bill in this country is two bill
lion and the loss In labor inefficiency
due to drink can be placed at seven /:
annually. The liquor bust :
ness turns back to its workers but /:
five per cent of its invested capital
once 9 year. while the steel indnstryls
returns ~ par cent and the textile s
industry 2 Fer cent. Our wonderful
prosperity during the war has BEEN :
brought about w having empty jails E
and q III of the immense sums lib s
Grated from the liquor business s
through wartime prohibition. {
a. the closing OF his speech DR.. (:
Phtfer presented large new Amer- s
lem flag to troop one OF the 1ocalls