Evening star., 1926-04-16

trade In narcotics. 1t is equally
erue OF the liquor traffic. To insure
social protection against a trade
whose avowed purpose was to get
people to consume the maximum
possible amount of alcoholic liquor
is the foundation on which our ma
tjonal policy of prohibition rests.
The policy of prohibition was not
adopted hastily nor was II foiSteG
npon the country by puritanicaI
minority. II was first voted in most
"f The States separately and then
nationally. because the people had
become convinced that the liquor
traffic was a social evil of such
magnitude that it had to be de-
stroyed.
Liquor Evils Less.
The reasons which led TO prohibi-
hon not only remain today but have
been re-enforced by the experience
Of other nations. The social peril
of alcoholism is becoming a grow
ing concern to statesmen through
out the world. If serious evils have
sprung up since prohibition they are
far less than the evils which arose
from the liquor traffic prior to the
amendment. The liquor traffic with
with political corruption. crime,
gambling and prostitution.
The proposal 10 modify the Vol
stead act so as TO permit the sale
of wines and beer presents insuper-
able objections. 1t would make en-
forcement more difficult. 1t would
inevitably mean the return either OF
the saloon or something equally un-
desirable.
"Bootlegging in stronger liquors
would become more menaclng be-
cause it would tend to operate
through the places where the milder
intoxicants were sold. Moreover.
there is no evidence TO justify the
contention that to permit wine and
beer would reduce the consumption
of ardent spirits. The teaching of
experience is TO the contrary.
Churches Declared Dryer.
On the part Of Dr.. Cadman, DR..
Charles S. Macfarland. general secre-
tsry of the Federal Council of
Churches, presented personal state
ment, in which DR.. Cadman was
quoted as follows:
The churches are dry-more so
than ever before. They are more con-
WINGED than ever before of the value
Of prohibition.
Modification would inevitably bring
back the saloon. Give prohibition
square deal.
The personal liberty plea is delu-
sion and a snare. All law is limita
tion of personal liberty for the sake
Of public welfare.
"Only yesterday a bread trust was
dissolved before it was well begun.
The plea that one can do as one
pleases with his own property does
not avail for the bakers. Why should
10 avail for the brewers and drinkers?
'One of the bots upon our national
character is due to the utterly mis-
leading conception Of personal free
dom which rejects control and defies
authority. How else can we account
for the swollen lists Of divorces, rob-
heriee, murders, the notorious deeds
uf public epoilation and financial de-
ARnchery, the unlicensed illusions of
the press and it's exa1tation of rogues
EU the publicity 1t gives their trial
and execution when they are brought
vgttf1in the reach Of tarviy justice? /
eraintain that the republic we love
needs the discipline which prevents
eBokleSs and asSertive individualism
Aum proStituting the honor and i'm
pertling the safety of the American
people.
One Law Attacked.
The descriptions of the violations
ot the law, OF the wealth of boot
Ieggrs and OF other villains and vii
lainies preying upon our people are
usually made by those who, want the
or repeal Of prohibition.