The New York herald., 1922-01-09


It would seem that while both states
gained in the sum OF deposits, there is
nothing in these figures to indicate
that the wettest State compared un-
favorably with the dryest in the mat
ter of deposits in mutual banks. n, As
far as prohibition goes, the figures
mean nothing.
In this connection ii may be noted
that notwithstanding it's comparative
wetness. the savings bank deposits in
the State of New York on July 1,
were $115,59S, Alb in excess of the de-
posits on the previous January /.
Praised In New England.
The correspondent of THE New YORK
HERALD in Concord. n. H., however,
points out that since prohibition saw
ings bank deposits in that State have
increased 100000, and the number
of depositors has increased $4,000. He
says:
state and bank officials are warm
i'm their praise of prohibition, and are
of the opinion that 1t is partly respon-
sible for the prosperity of the State
and the growth of the savings bank
deposits"
On the other hand the correspond
ent in Madison, Wis, State that is
hardly mere wet than New Hamp-
shire, wires:
Savings deposits in State banks
September 9th last were over s6,000.-
900 less than in November the year
previous, but over $24,00O.000 more
than i'm November 1919"
From Butte, Mont. where the State
prohibition law preceded the Volstead
act, comes this message:
with conditions far from normal
and unemployment prevalent almost
during the entire period and result
ing losses of population recorded in
both rural and urban centers, partic-
ularly since 1920, bankers declare that
their figures cannot be taken as an
index of the results of the statute"
No Tie TO Prohibition.
While from Baltimore, Nd, comes
this:
Whatever prosperity Maryland
may have had within the last two
years is not attributed to prohibition.
Neither the Governor nor the Mayor be-
lieves the ban on the sale of liquor has
anything TO do with improved condi-
tions. This view is also entertained
by directors of savings banks. In these
the deposits in 1920 were not up to
the average, several of the larger in
stitutions showing a distinct loss. This
year they showed considerable i'm
provement; fact held due to a reali-
zation that with a dearth Of work dur
ing the winter preparation must be
made for an emergency"
With such q variety Of facts. fig
ures. reports and opinions IL would
be obviously unfair to contend that
bank deposits OF any character are
guide TO the benefits. or otherwise, OF
prohibition.
The statement was made in the first
article of this series that the revenue
OF the Federal Government had been
cut more than $3.50. 900 n year by
reason Of the shutting off OF the trade
in intoxicants. There Is an economic
gain. however. in the increased bust
ness done by theatres and moving pic
ture houses md otherwise. judging
from tho data at hand.
Tbeater Business Prospers.
Approximately 1897 600. 900 poured
into the ti'i7 OF the theatres. moving
picture b'lsses and other places OF
amusement in the fiscal year ending
June 30. 1921. according TO the gov
ernment's TAX figures. The last half
Of last year prob5bly viii not show
quite as high an average. The inpor-
tsnt point 10 be made ran be drawn,
however, from the official figures. II
IS.
The receipts " the theatres and
other placer for 1921 we're 7ss per