Evening star., 1926-10-13
Varied Comment on Estimate
Of Benefits Under Dry Law

bootleggers runs to any such proper
tions does not appear reasonable.
Fisher, applying the methods
of careful statistical analysis, finds
that flow of alcohol down human
throats has been reduced by at least
"a per cent, and probably 80 per cent
This Is a great reduction of the drink
evil, even under present conditions of
inadequate enforcement" declares the
Journal-News.
After careful consideration OF the
deductions and estimates made by the
Yale economist, the Lexington Leader
voices its opinion that mo one who
has studied the subject with anything
like the care which it deserves, who is
honestly in favor of temperance, who
believes in the Constitution and in law
enforcement, can doubt that. on the
whole, Prof. Fisher has arrived at
sound judgments and that he has
stated the facts as they are" His
figures are accepted by the GAINESVILLE
Gazette as representing the biggest
and best thing about prohibition"
Although the Kansas City Post as
sumes that "of course, the professors
statement will be challenged" and
admits he may have made some mis-
takes in working the example. putting
the decimal point in the wrong place
or something of the kind" this paper
concludes that "even after allowing
for mistakes. it looks as though we
are not all violating the law"
Prof. Fisher himself, as the Winston
Salem Sentinel sums up the case, 'is
far from being an extreme or fanat-
ical dry" fact that Is conceded to
give more weight to his opinion. and
what he has done is to submit to
proper statistical tests the assertions
of the vets This paper scores the
"many vague assertions made by
those who advocate repeal of the
eighteenth amendment or 'modifica-
ton of the Volstead act" and con-
siders that Prof. Fisher has shown
that mo justification exists for the
loud claim that drunkenness is max
ing more recruits than in prohibition
days"
The Omaha World Herald finds 1t
interesting to compare the conclusions
arrived at by the Moderation League
in its survey of drinking and drunk
enness from 1914 to 1924 with those
deduced by the Yale authority, the
former claiming that statistics prove
an increase in drunkenness and the
latter holding that they show a de-
crease. Prof. Fisher declares. says
the World Herald, that 'the factors
Of first conviction. proportion OF ar
rests to population and Increased
police zeal in running in drunkards,
when applied to the leagues statis-
tics. would make a monkey out or
them" The World-H Herald finds the
significance of the leagues figures,
however, lies in the tendency which
they indicate. The point is" declares
this paper, that in 1914 the tendency
was toward decrease: in 1924 the
tendency was toward increase"
The Springfield Union, character
izing the author as one who has de-
servedly acquired a national reputa-
ton for writing frequently and quite
inconclusively upon a great variety
of things" says of his latest book:
His apparent purpose is to show that
prohibition at it's worst is better than
anything else at its best. AS usual.
he writes superficially and inconclu-
sively, and when he cannot state facts
from knowledge. he cheerfully as
sumes that they ought to be facts.
nevertheless"