New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-06
Prohibition S uture
Time to Decide Whether or Not t
Try Reasonable Regulation"


TO the Editor of The Tribune.
Sir: 1t has now been pretty well
demonstrated that we cannot have both
prohibition and temperance. We must
choose between them. Some have al
ways believed that attempted prohibi-
ton would be failure, and now the
majority of our people are beginning
to realize that it is SO.
1t is now time for all who have their
country's welfare at heart to investi-
gate and weigh the results with open
minds in order that we may decide
whether to keep on with attempted pro-
hlbition or adopt middle course
namely, that Of reasonable and scien-
titic regulation, to bring about temper
ance.
One Of the favorits arguments Of
people upholding prohibition is that
conditions in certain localities appear
to be better now than before prohibit
ton was tried. This argument would
be sound one were it not for the
fact that it consists Of comparing two
extremes, both Of which are bad. No
reasonable person is fighting for the
return Of the saloon, which is largely
responsible for the trial of prohibition.
What we do want is sanity. You cannot
bring about virtue with club. 1t must
come from conviction. The only way
people can be made to do what is good
for them is by education.
If those in favor of prohibition and
those in favor of reasonable regulation
would approach the subject Of investi-
CATION with open minds, no doubt
middle course could be found, which,
while accomplishing all the good at
tempted prohibition was expected to do.
will also avoid the bad.
The medical profession has been reu-
resented by the prohibitionists as
against the use of any alcohol. but
those OF us who read the papers must
see that that is not SO. Then il has
been said that the jails are empty since
prohibition went into effect. MANY
wardens deny this.
Only the other day the Police COM
missioner Of one of our largest cities
said that anything was better than the
present conditions. Of the alcoholic
beverages his force had captured, SO
per cent was found on analysis to be
more or less poison, from deadly down
to injurious.
From newspaper accounts we know
that many have died and others have
lost their eyesight. Only the other
day seven men in one batch died from
wood alcohol poisoning. 1t will be some
time before the crop of stomach dis
orders. due to bad liquor, can be esti-
mated
Many Of our most intelligent clergy
men who were formerly in favor of
prohibition have come out openly and
denounced it.
The Anti-Saloon League formerly
stood for doing away with the saloon
and local option. Doubtless a large
proportion Of it's members is still in
favor of these principles, but opposed
to the radical methods now being re-
sorted to by those in control of the
league. II it's members will protest
against it's management and come out
for sane regulation it will bring about
unity Of purpose and the furtherance
of temperance.
The seriousness of the situation
brought about by attempted prohibit
ton calls for unprecedented consultation
and cooperation, not for the kind
of vituperation INDUCED in by several
ministers Of the Gospel who were