Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1922-01-19
NATION DRINK BILL
CUT TWO BILLIONS
Say 17,5OO,OOO Persons Have
Quit Drinking Booze.
OTHERS HAVE SLOWED UP
ProhibitionIsts Declare They Are Con-
Stunning Only Per Cent OF Liquor
Formerly Consumed.

Stunning Only Per Cent Of Liquor
Formerly Consumed.
Washington. Two million FIVE
hrndred thousand individuals drank
intoxicating liquors in defiance or
the prohibition law last year, 1t was
revealed in survey OF two years of
national prohibition, by national pro-
hibition headquarters here.
The survey also showed:
Those drinking now are only Is per
cent of the number who drank before
prohibition.
The drink bill OF the nation has de-
creased $2,000,000000 year.
The reports showed that there were
approximately 20,000000 drinkers In
the United States before the country
went dry. This shows that 17,500,000
persons have quit drinking. Those who
remain are consuming only per cent
OF the liquor formerly consumed.
Insurance company reports-repre-
senting thirty-seven leading companies,
showed the death rate for the first
ten months Of the year decreased from
9.S to S.24 Banking figures show
more people We're prosperous, This
resulted In more people owning auto
mobiles and consequently there was an
Increase of rs per cent in deaths from
automobile accidents.
The twelve points cited as $50 out
standing that no attempt can be made
In denial" follow:
q. Disappearance Of the open sa-
loon.
20 Abatement of open drinking In
public dining rooms.
80 Passing of the treating evil,
which was recognized MS the greatest
contributing agency In the development
Of liquor appetite.
Il. Closing OF whisky cure and sim
liar institutions.
"5. Increased savings accounts.
80. Record-breaklng Christmas
business.
81. Decreased drunkenness.
IS. Prohibitive prices of bonded
liquor for beverage use
80. Dangerous character of Illicit
whisky.
40. Surreptitiousness of present.
day drinking
I'll. Wall Of bowling minority who
would go to the length of undermine
ing the constitution In order to NULL
fly an amendment which their action
demonstrates is in actual effect.
"12. Changed attitude Of former
hostile statesmen, political leaders and
the press" !
This summary of last years en-
forcement showed:
Arrests for drunkenness decreased
60 per cent.
Nearly 100000 gallons of liquor
have been seized.
Thirty thousand criminal prosecu.
lions were begun.
Twenty thousand convictions were
obtained.
Property seized totaled nearly $13,.
100000.
These major accomplishments COST
1924, 513.47, including rent, miscel-
laneous office expenditures, salaries
and travelling expenses Of national
agents.
This compares favorably with the
estimated assessments, though only a
total of $3,000,000 Of the amount has
been collected. The assessments them
selves total approximately $57,500,000
These include penalties, revenue and
special taxes.
Property seizures reached an ap-
proximate value Of $12,907 ,693. 40.
About 100000 gallons of distilled
spirits and wines were taken by pro-
Inhibition agents.
OF the 10000 criminal prosecutions
started, 1900 defendants pleaded
guilty, and the total convicted of xio-
1ating the law was nearly 10000. In
dicating the courts are not "easy" on
dry law defendants, acquittals totaled
fewer than 1000.