The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-03-10
ECONOMIC RESULTS
Of PROHIBITION

Columbus. o, March s.--some idea OF
what prohibition can do to improve
economic conditions in the United
States may be gained from statistics
gathered in this city. Columbus had
the most prosperous year in it's his
tory in 1919. and prohibition is given
large share OF the credit. The bank
-etearings for the year amounted to
$1,000. an advance OF s133,o0o,oe0
over the year before. The resources
OF the banks at the close of 1919 were
sss,2oo.ooo in comparison with S77,sst,-
600 at the end of the previous year.
The valuation of new buildings for
which permits were issued was double
that of 1918. Behind all this prosper
ity stands out the ncontestable argu-
ment OF a. sober and Industrious peo-
pie. For seven months of the year
there were no saloons. and the alb.
senee of liquor is reflected in the great
ly decreased number of arrests and
the greatly Increased prosperity of the
people Ultimate large savings in the
police department and the courts IL in.
dlcated in the fact that there were g.
2s1 fewer arrests In 1919 than in the
previous year, AMI i.3sS fewer persons
arraigned in court for various criminal
offenses. Charitable workers are ind
ing great improvements in the homes
VI iiitH duQICteu TO tffe use OF
liquor but who are now buying more
food. more clothing. more furniture
and more things that add to the COM
fort and happiness of their families.
Portland. Me. March G-Marked
economic BENEFITS in the homes, since
the enforcement OF prohibition in this
city. are noted by a social settlement
worker here, Many a paw envelope"
she says, that one time went for
drinks and treating now goes for bet
ter food. better clothes Many FAINT.
lies are having coal in their homes for
the first time. Having no money to
spend for this necessity. the children
used to supply the fuel for heat by
bringing home wood and pieces Of
coal from the streets. The men are
happier and spend their time at home
after their DAYS work La None.
that used to go for drinks lie buying
Eraphophones and children are coming
TO school wifi, such remarks as this.
We had great time at home last
night; father played the graphophone
The children are happier and content
ed and with this improved environment
the coming generations promise to Be
more easily nodded into the right kind
OF men and women for our future citi-
gems"
bloomington, Ill.,, March a.--Twice as
many men under employment and q
greater number to be on the nav rolls
as soon az new machinery arrives
thousands of more dollars in weekly
circulation. manufacture of immense
quantities OF food products for which
there is an increasing demand. is a
part OF the story which the trans
formation Of the great distiilinE plants
of Central Illinois Is telling the world
of the economic beneffts OF prohibition
Two years ayr the people of this dis.
tries were Startled by the liquor prop
sxanda which forecast the completes
closing OF the breweries and distill-
cries. with thousands of men in idle
ness. If prohibition we're to so into
effect. Today they are regarding the
advent of prohibition as an economic
as we'll as social blessing Changed
tn strip glucose. sugar or other food
enterprises. the ore-tin1e distilieriea
more persons. which include not only
men, but also women and miuors
Predictions have fallen nat" says an
observer. The advent Of prohibition
finds no cobuebs In the former dis
tillinE plants. no grass in the streets.
no Tor rent signs on the doors OF bust
ness buildings or residences. The
floods OF money that were realised
from the manufacture OF whiskey have
been guided into new channels and the
many new buildings. new machinery
and other equipment required have
brought greater prosperity to this
section Of the state than ever pre-
viousiy enjoyed. The public has been
astonfshed by the CELEBRITY with which
tho new industries established a Arm