Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-03-06
DEATH RATE DROP
LAID TODRYLAW
Index of SO in 1926 Com
pared With 100 in 191Oby
DeetS Picket.

F. :he Associated Press.
That prohibition has had a direct CT
feet OIL the death rate. except iii the
very limited area where it has not been
permitted "a Junction" is the conclusion
O. DrotS Pickett. research secretary o!
t,1e board of temperance. prohibition
and pubic morals Of the Methods;
Episcopal Church, after a six months
Study Of the relation Of prohibition Il
mortality statistics.
The death rate for 1926 is indicated
b. an index Of IS as compared with the
average q. loo for the Wet period 1910
Is" he says. II prohibition white
hook" compiled by the board The
death rate from alcoholism is only 80
1or each Toe 900 IL 1925, which IS ap-
p?cX.natc,y IS per cent Of the average
1oT the wet period. I9i0-l6.
Propaganda Seen Blow.
IN The New England and Middle At
lant,c divisions. the metropolitan area,
embracing HE States Of Maine. New
Hampshire Vermont, Massachusetts,.
Shado Island. Connecticut. New York,
New jersey and Pennsylvania. propa-
eanda against me prohibition law and
the u1:ayoTab!e attitude Of public Off
GAS has had rs deadly effect. and the
same is true 10 less degree OF thu
South Atlantic division q States. which
embraces Maryland"
Other conclusions reached By Dr..
Pickett inclaGed:
III 10 wear since Federal prohibition
wen; into effect has the death rate been
as high as the lowest annua! rate III
any year before prohibition.
The ANIMAL average death rate from
a. causes during The wet period l9io-l6
G .1~ %r.l.+ Ia FSpr
proa.ht.On tl920-26' i was only II 04.
There was az immediate improve
men: in the death rate n 1920 when
prohibition went into effect. An ~
eek q. 100. based or the average Tor
the wet period ioIo-I6. shows % ior
the first year Of prohibition. 1920: 81
Il 1921. IS III 1922. 50 i'll 1928, 81 III
both 1924 and 1928, and So IN 1926.
Reap the Benefits.
The decrease il the death rate was
greater n those sections OF the country
which had been wet before Federal
prohibition. the cry sections having al
ready reapcd the benefits O. State pro-
h.b,tlon.
"A comparison Of the vet and dry
States before prohibition would St.A oe
more favorable 10 the dry States Il the
colore0 death rate were eliminated
from the total. For instance, ii the
South Atlantic section. total death
rate Of l28 Per 1000 IS found 10 be
1ll2 with the ColoTed population ELM
3nared.
The rate from deaths from alcohol
Ism IS 80 per l00. 600 II 1926 as COM
pared with Sc n the last year OF the
wet period IN 1916.
Only IN two geographic divisions.
the New England and Middle Atlantic
embracing Maine. New Hampshire,
Vermont. Massachusetts. Rhode Island.
Connecticut. New York, New Jersey and
Pennsylvania. has the death rate for
alcoholism eq'laled IN any single year
tire average Death rate from alcohol
ism IN the same geographical division
during the seven years immediately
preceding wartime restrictions. In
every other geographical division. the
rate has decreased tremendously.
Two Sections Show Gain.
These are the only two divisions
G. the country which show an increase
IL the alcoholism death rate 1926
GREY the rate for all registration States
before prohibition. As compared With
sn index average OF 100 during the
period 1906, New England shows an
;n6ex Of 100 IN 1926. and the Middle
Atlantic States an index Of li3. During
she first year 4! prohibition The New
England area was only 20 and the
1a4cclr Atlantic index was only q. 50
& Is clearly indicated that the present
fieh rate is due 10 the notification
Propaganda existing IN these areas.
"A comparison between six So
called wet StaTes-Dc!&1are. Mary
land. Massac aGsetts. New York. Penn
stlfanla and Rhode ISland-and SIX
'crT' E'atfs-Ca.ifnrnia North Caro-
Ina. Ohm. Utah. Colorado and Indiana
indicates that the SIX wet States
show q decrease IN deaths from alco-
f.olism IN 1920. the FIRST year Of proa!-
b.tion. % IS per cent, while the six
cry States st}CW a decrease ~ 81 per
gent Eut IN the six dr. States the
cea1h rate remains low, bring III 1926
1s1lr So per- cra; q me annual ay-
sEaea tor tne Te; Period. l9lO-lC, III
ti3e SANE States. while III tie States
s:lc:e props aEda against ne law Is
strong. TIE rae ii 1926 Is 1913 per
1en. q fhe aterage for tie annual
.a.e for 's2e Vet period. 1905 The
virG Is erywr the u n.ytMInc Is reaped. =