Woman's enterprise., 1922-06-01
EFFECTS
OF PROHIBITION

From the Chicago Evening Post.)
The Manufacturers Record its
editorial ears vexed by the clamor of
vets, who loudly assert that their
ranks are being recruited daily by
large accessions from those who once
believed in prohibition, decided to put
the oft-repeated claim to test.
1t addressed an inquiry to 1000 men
who five years ago signed petition
for federal prohibition. They were
men of its own constituency, prominent
manufacturers in all sections of the
country. It asked how many of them
had changed their minds. The replies
showed that 98.5 per cent stood pat
on prihibition, and 1926 per cent on
the maintenance of the Volstead law
without amendment.
A maker of agricultural implements
in Wisconsin writes that prohibition
has brought "unmistakable advantages
and relief; Tacoma steel manufac-
turer says drunkenness has lessened
100 per cent; Denver banker de-
clares the "effect on labor and the
saving of money has been wonderful;
an oil man in Pittsburg testifes,
"trouble among employees from liquor
has almost disappeared"; the head of
a cotton mill in Alabama claims moth
ing has so helped the cotton mills"
These are typical samples which could
be duplicated scores of times.
Obviously, if the owners Of indus
tries are finding these good results in
their business, like results will be
found in the living conditions of their
employees. Better housing, clothing,
feeding of wives and children follow
inevitably the diversion Of wages from
the saloon to the legitimate avenues
of trade. The whole level of the mass
life of the country is improved. All
enterprises of production and COM
merce which contribute to comfort and
the reinements of life are stimulated
and benefited.
Obviously, also, if these results be
possible under the present inadequate
enforcement of the law, consequences
for good far exceeding them will be
evident when the spirit of the nation
gears itself to the job and does it
thoroughly.
Presently there is going to be
strong reaction against those elements
in the country which are working for
nillification, whether by agitation,
lawlessness or betrayed of duty in Of
flee. The conscience of the country is
going to don its fighting clothes and
deal with these people.
We have letter from one of them,
signed "A Criminal-made so by the
Amendment" The man
who wrote that letter-his kind do
not sign their names-deserves mol
more consideration than any other
awbreaker. The time is coming when
le will get no more.
Before that time comes, however,
he people must deal with the derelict
'fficials-municipal, state and feder-
al-who have the power to enforce
he law, but fail to do so for reasons
which are either corrupt or political,
and in both cases, despicable. The
'ederal prohibition agent who makes
t his first business on appointment
% consult with the political boss or
patronage dispenser of his district in
rider to learn how far he may 20 in
executing his oath of office is double
raitor to the republic, and worse than
he appetite-driven citizen who has
lis private bootlegger. Worse even
han ne is the political boss, be he
senator or what-not, who gives his in
tructions to "go easy" because there
S an election in November.
1t is time to speak plainly. If
mayors and senator's and party bosses
'ept their hands off, the eighteenth
could be enforced as we'll
IS any law of the nation; and if the
ecent people of America, who obey
he law and rejoice in the good which
las already resulted from it, would
[isplay the necessary courage in DEAL
ng with these gentlemen, they would
axe their hands off. They are wait