The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1920-04-06
LIBERTY BONDS
An English Committees Inquiry
as to Prohibition in United States

liquor sale in 1900 saloons resulted in
many turning into non-aieoholic resi-
taurants. groceries. etc. but 1T took
fully year for all TO be occupied al
business houses. AS to the workmen-
they were not the principal objectors.
to the enforcement OF the prohibition
law. In testimony from a large en-
ployer Il was declared that 1T is won
derful to note that among 10000 men
in one firm the loss in hours on Mon
days was 50 per cent until remedted
by prohibition" Twelve of the largest
manufacturers and merchants had
signed declaration that there are
now fewer absentees. fewer accidents,
greater unity. higher efficiency. They
think there has been some increase
in the use of opium and cocaine, but
the authorities are now dealing with
this abuse. II may here be added thai
the Michigan legislature. in responss
to a demand. allowed a plebiscite to
be taken throughout the state as to
whether prohibition should be 81
modified as only to apply" TO ardent
spirits. but the poll showed a larse
majority for continuing fun prohtbi-
ton.
The governors of Alabama. Arizona.
Ohio and washington states did not
reply to the Birmingham committee,
but three out of the four had already
replied to similar questions from the
Anti Saloon League. According to
this information. the governor of Ala
bama lad written that, through pro-
hibition moral and economic condi-
lions have wonderfully improved" and
that in many counties the jails are
empty part of the time. The gov
ernor of Arizona wrote that crime has
steadily decreased and there has been
a general prosperity resulting" from
prohibition. and that the standard cf
living has been raised The governor.
of ONO wrote that public drinking
was weli-night nonresident. and
"the number of ofenses has been
greatly diminished"
The occasion which gave rise to
these inquiries was a luncheon given
under the auspices of the G. T. A IN
Birmingham business men, and Joseph
Hood presided. Particular care was
taken to invite mainly those business
men who were known to be non~
abstainers After Mr.. Johnson had
given his address ii pointed out
by a rather critical audience that the
statements as to the effect of prohibi-
ttcn in America were advanced by pro-
nounced temperance advocates and
that it would be more satisfactory II
Information were acquired directly,
This idea appealed TO number sofs
those present. and the committee was
thereupon elected.
The famous Handel festivai whieha
has not been held since 1919. will
again take place in London in June at
1.-The Crystal Palace. with Sir Frederick
,Cowen as conductor
The new lord mayor of London. sir
Edward e. Cooper. is said to be IN
excellent organist and a very accom-.
plished musician.
| 1t is a generally accepted fact thax
the Concert Gebouw Orchestra at Ann
sterdam. Holland. under the conductors
ship of William Mengelberg. is thu
best symphonic body In Europe. II 10
therefore with Increased pleasure that
Americans learn that Mr.. MengelbeTg
| IL expected In America next January
/ to assist Arthur Bodauzky as assoc
1ciate conductor of the new symphoa y
society of New York.
-
II took from 1875 until 1919 for
Maine to gain separate statehood from
Massachusetts,.