The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-07-04
Twenty-Six Reasons
Why Men Get Drunk
BY Telegraph to The Freeman


SOMERVILLE, Mass, - Twenty
six reasons answering the eternal
question, "Why do men get drunk?"
have been promulgated by William
Preble Jones, probation officer of the
Somerville police court, who has
studied the problem intimately for
many years. Here are the underly-
ing reaSOnS:
1. They want liquor and they will
have it. But it is an acquired taste.
After taking the first drink of whis-
key in his life nobody ever hankered
for the second, altho he learned
afterward to like it.
2. They need their beer or ale to
relieve thirst, so they say. Very
often this is true.
The doctor ordered whiskey for
them once upon time, and that pre-
scription lasts forever and for all
things. Whether it is chilblains or
toothache, cramps or pain, stomach
ache-as some men tell the judge
influenza or rupture, of "pleurisy"
way down in their abdomen, whiskey
is their ,panacea.
4. Financial . troubles. Of every
name and description.
5. Family rows. Husband is jeal-
Gus, generally without cause. Wife
buys too many things on the install
ment plan. The daughters gentle
man callers are Objectionable to the
old man. His filthy talk and vile
accusations, absolutely inseparable
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 very
frequent cause of drink.
8. Wife is going to have a baby.
The poor husband loses his nerve
just when his assistance is most
needed and the patrol wagon Jugs
him off to the police station.
9. Disappointed in love, After his
best girl Tilted him Charlie squared
things up with her by getting drunk.
10. Religious disagreements.
II. Too many cornwall compan-
ions. Drinking then may be classed
among the contagious diseases.
IL. Celebrating holiday, birth
day or the like.
10. Because he went to funeral.
a wedding, or christening.
IA. Fear of ridicule and the jeers
of friends.
Is. Fear of arrest or summons
to appear in court.
16. Fear of an impending opera
ton or tooth extraction.
II. A desire to be smart, tough or
the real thing.
1S. Because stranger offered him
the liquor.
10. Because of unusual hardships
and other disagreeable features con-
nected with their job. Therein lies
every imaginable excuse.
20. To stimulate an appetite. II
can't eat anything unless / have q
ball first" or 81 can't eat fried
stuff"
81. To encourage sleep.
%. To brace up his courage gen.
orally or to forget his sorrows.
20. Many men, such as teamsters
or icemen, deliver goods at the sa-
loon or are constantly driving by the
door, so that the temptation is al
ways with them.
"a. Because the saloon is a social
center and very convenient one at
that. He must be a mighty cheap
sport who won't support the institu-
ton which he frequents.
rs. The saloon is a convenient
banking institution for borrowing
money or cashing checks. The fav-
ored person, Of course, returns the
kindness by buying few drinks.
20. For countless thousands of
men the saloon is the public comfort
station, providing the only available
toilet accommodations during bust
ness hours are open till II o'clock
at night. This is one Of the chief
causes of drinking and is a feature Of
the problem that most OF the temper
ance and prohibition people fail to
consider.