The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1926-02-25
DIR. Empringham and Episcopal Church Body in Cam
paign for Modification of Vostead Law
Intemperance Increasing, Says Report
(From N.Y.Herald- Tribune)

(From NY. Herald Tribune)
The Church Temperance Society of the Episcopal
Church will work for modification of prohibition to
permit the sale of light wines and beer, it was an
nounced by DIR. James Emprngham national secretary,
a meeting of Episcopal ministers in Town Hall yes
terday.
T DR.. Empringham said that he had started year
ago an investigation to prove that prohibition
success and that the reputation of complete prohibition
now announced by the society the result of his
findings in that investigation
1--WE are in favor of a modification of the Volstead
Act permit the sale of beer and wine he said, DE
cause
l. The effect of prohibition has been to put an
end to temperance teaching
O. 1t has resulted in increased drinking among
young people.
8. 1t has discouraged the consumption of wine and
beer and increased the demand for distilled liquors
which to-day mostly poisonous
4. 1t has brought about disrespect for all laws.
5. 1t is class legislation, discriminating in favor
of the rich.
6. In our survey found intemperance increased
DR.. Empringham created a stir in 1916 when he
gave up a lucrative rectorship in ST. Paus Church,
Syracuse take the metropolitan SUPPLEMENTARY
of the AntiSaloon League He the first Episcopa-
liam become associated with that organization In less
than year. however, he resigned and took the posi-
ton he holds with the Episcopal society
Dissatisfaction with the way prohibition was work
ing out manifested by Dr. Empringham early
as 1919. 1t during that year that he made the
that he longer able to get soft drinks
because when he asked for in saloon the bar
tender never took him seriously and always gave him
something stronger.
Sought "Denatured Saloon
In that same year Dr. Empringham started a
campaign to establish substitutes for the saloon.
1.-THE saloon in spite of its evils, has played a
useful part in the life of the nation, he then said
Something must take the place of the saloon if the
liquor traffic is to be outlawed"
"No law is of any value unless you can get public
sentiment behind it." he added "In 1914 urged
Congress to submit the eighteenth amendment to the
legislatures We said not asking for prohibition
but for opportunity for the states to decide I'm
fortunately the asked to decide the matter
during the excitement of the when asking
people to grain to win the Forty-six of
the forty-eght states tumbled each other in a
rush to ratify the eighteenth amendment The question
was referred to the individual voters Now that
the spirit is over, l satisfied that refer
endum would show the majority of the people op-
posed to any such drastic prohibition.
The whole reversal of policy of the society is the
direct result of the unexpected discoveries he made in
his investigation, according to DR.. Empringham The
society originally worked for the eighteenth amend
ment 1t is national in scope and includes twenty-one
Bishops in addition to great many Episcopal minis
tiers among its patrons and officers
Finds He's Been Darn Fool"
81 started out year ago., he said ito gather ma
teria for a pamphlet to show that prohibition a
success haven't finished that pamphlet. My survey be-
hind the Of enforcement in Chicago the South,
Baltimore, Philadelphia and other cities showed me
that had been darn fool to give up good church
and big stipend make the world better overnight.
We thought that law would be better than education
to stop drinking. admit that made mistake.
an 1917 referendum of the members of the
society showed majority favored prohibition in some
form other. A recent of the membership
which resulted in the change of policy showed
wheming preponderance for modification of the Vol
stead act.