The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-04-06

The Birmingham (Englandp branch
invited w E. johnson C'Pussyfoot")
to address a meeting of business men
in Birmingham on Prohibition as
Business Issue Al the conference
three -abstaining business men.
Messrs A. c.. Canning, A. r. Norton and
r. A. Biantern. were appointed a COM
mittee to make Independent Inquiries.
The committee presented to varions
American personages and firms the
following questions: "a How has pro-
affected the welfare and pros
pertty OF the general community; ~
in a general sense, /. e. do workmen
work as well and willingly without
alcohol, f3) has prohibition tended TO
increase the sale of drugs. viz. opium.
cocaine. etc" 90 are you satisfied that
the prohibition law is enforced and
carried out correctly
The president OF the Ames Shovel
and Tool company, Boston, reported
that prohibition had not been operative
long enough to adtudre results. He
had no definite knowledge as TO drug
taking. but had heard that in some
parts il had increased He regarded
the law as unpopular and much doubt
ed III it can ever be enforced as strict
iy as contemplated" The head of the
O. Fl. Smith steel Casting company
reports that men are much more
steady" The company believed that
the best results had not been realized
for prohibition. owing to the lack OF
enforcement provisions. since decreed.
and from which they are confident of
beneficial results" The American Car
and Foundry company, New York.
certify that prohibition has increased
the attendance OF workmen, reduced
accidents, lessened disorder and pro-
dueed from the manufacturing stand
point a more satisfactory condition in
every way" The men work better
without alcohol" No increased drug
consumption is observable. The au-
thorities are beginning to administer
the law effectively. Illicit sales are
gradually declining, and they "are
satisfied that the law will be effective
ly enforced They at first doubted
the wisdom Of prohibition, but their
stan had changed their views since it
was decreed. The governor OF the
state Of Maine replied to the questions
as follows; % Marked increase In
wealth, morals and industry; t2) yes
better; 90 no; 80 yes. He further
reports that serious criminal offenser
are rare. and the Jail population for
all offenses one half the normal In
Michigan the state secretary, on be
half Of the governor. reports that pro-
hibition has largely increased the pros
perity of the state. A better class OF
goods is bought, and bills are paid
with greater promptitude. Savings
and bank accounts are almost doubled
The managers OF many mines repcr'
that formerly on Mondays one-third al
the men were incapacitated for work
and only half eficient on Tuesdays, but
now they promptly report for work
and are 100 ner cent efficient. Whcr
the neieheoring states were wet Michi'
gan experienced some diniculty in the
! enforcement of prohibition. but now
that nation wide prohibition prevails
IL In no more diffcult
what Happened to nr>werfes.
From Detroit. the capital of -Hh'
state OF Michigan the board OF com
merce reports that there Is no aues-
ton" as 10 the Dement'S Of prohibition
! This is proved by the trading and saw
inrs bank transactions of workme n
The brewery employees soon fount
other and generally more remunera
tive occupations. The capital investes
lin breweriAs suffered considerably
but of the twenty hreweries. thirteeI
took up the manufacture OF non-alco
holic beverages. The stoppage o