The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-06-04
WHAT PROHIBITION DOES FOR ROANOKE
BY Col. James ID. Johnston.

large have been greatly benefited by
the prohibition laws that have been
enacted"
The Virginia Bridge and Iron com
pany Ia one of the great enterprises Of
the South and erects steel bridges from
the Atlantic to the Pacific. No gentle
mar in all the city Of Roanoke is more
universally respected than the presi-
dent of this company, Mr.. c. Edwin
Michael. He has written as follows:
Il know from Investigation and
observation that under prohibition.
tho regularity Of attendance and more
efficient service was almost imme-
diately apparent amongst the industrial
workers Of this community, that the
employees paid their personal ohliga-
tions more promptly and old debts in
many instances were completely wiped
out in a short time.
Improves Moral Life.
Prohibition has greatly helped the
moral and religious life of Roanoke. BY
"A conservative estimate the Protestant
churches of Roanoke have increased
$500 in members and the Sunday
schools 1000 since the statewide law
went into effect.
Captain Paul Jones, Of the Salvation
Army. writes as follows:
II cannot tell you the good prohibit
ton has done for Roanoke. / have
been probation officer here as well as
actively engaged in Salvation Army
work. and l believe that the closing of
the saloon has lessened crime, de-
creased poverty. and has made Roanoke
a better city to live in"
Or. w. c. Campbell. who has been
the honored and much beloved pastor
of the First Presbyterian church for
about thirty years, says:
NO reformation in existing condi-
tons has given me more unalloyed
pleasure than the Punishment of the
open saloon from Roanoke. ! cannot
begin TO tell of the beneficial results
to individuals, homes and city.
! do. not think. Il have seen a hall a
dozen drunken men since the saloons
were closed. The effect upon the home
life of peoplc is wonderful. Men who
were a common sight on the streets
have sobered up and stay at home
Heips cofored People. -
A respected colored minister says;
Look at the modest but beautiful
homes the colored man is purchasing
and paying for. am of the opinion
that the moral blessings of prohibition
NAV be readily attested by merchants
and others with whom my people have
financial engagements. The courts and
prisons will also silently witness the
splendid effect prohibition has had or
my people. and as for that. on all PEG
pie. I am of the opinion that whatever
| may say in regard to the moral lift
OF my people being improved by the alb,
senee OF the saloon. could he said alsf
s of their religious life"
We have in Roanoke, what I ar
F.; pleased to call a modern miracle. Oh
one of the prominent business corner
e was the popular stag saloon" with it
frosted windows, gilded back bar ant
Z counter. shimmering lights. and merry
making pool room. Its poor victims b,
3 the hundreds staggered in and stag
grred out. and sad to be said. 30 man,
V of them staggered into the great be
n You'd from which 10 traveller ever re
e turns"
Today the Salvation Army owns thi
tCorner with its -Ihree-S1ory hricl
building, Across its OUTER walls ar
r the overlapping words. Christ tn
( Light of the World and the holy in
Il fuences OF the Bible and Christianit.
u lradiate. from this ENTER bearing heal
= ing to hundreds and thousands. In
= stead OF making demons. righteous an
: cody men are made here now, and wei
!: may we add, that no mathematician
= brain can calculate the innumerahi
r blessings and joys that prohibition ha
: brought to the hearts and homes an
9 little children of Roanoke.