The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-03-30
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 1882
Prohibition and Still the Saloon

Some few days ago the Christian Science Monitor took exception to the stand of the New York Herald Tribune on the Eigh- teenth Amendment The New York paper champions repeal, while the Monitor be- leyes that the Volstead Act has done more to promote temperance than anything although it does admit that prohibition has failed to do all the things that it was claimed it would do when being advocated We are glad to see this admission from such stauneh prohibitionist as the Monitor, It really looks as if better day was coming, when all of us actually interested in true temperance can join hands.
 However, as long as this nation tries to enforce total abstinence from intoxicating beverages by law 1t will meet with the same obstacles that every group of peoples, who have attempted the same experiment, failed to overthrow. What European country has succeeded in making prohibition work? Not one of the many who have tried to regulate the drinking habits of their peoples. True the United States of America is not Europe. but it is populated by nationalities drawn from all corners of the world. We cannot guarantee any more degree of success for it than was secured by Finland or any other nation
 The Christian Science Monitor believes that the inevitable result of the repeal of the Eighteenth Amendment would be the re- turn of the saloon. We can't quite agree with this viewpoint, but even if it did mean that we are inclined to think that the saloon, such as existed in Waterbury. couldn't be compared with some of the speakeasies which are operated today in our midst. Our tav- erns and hotels are forced to become drink ing houses. where such gaiety as existed be- fore the days of prohibition would today be considered slightly tame. We can't be con- vinced that the reign of Andrew Volstead has been an improvement over that of John Bar1eycorn. In fact, we'd prefer the former of the two.
 Says the Monitor. Nothing has been suggested which gives promise of even so insufficient a check upon the liquor traffic as the Volstead Act now effects. No one claims perfection for the existing law. No the operation of appetite or greed will, however question that that law has enorm- ously decreased the use of liquor. has made it difficult to ohtain. and has put the saloon out of business We have seen no substi- tute offered which promises anything like so much efficiency. = Since we consider ourselves to be sane. we must be prejudieed, for we question the above. We honestly be- lieve that today there are more drinkers in this nation proportionately than there were before prohibition. We don't think 1t is difficult to obtain. unless you are particular about quality. We don't believe the un- licensed saloon has been put out of busi- ness.
 Why are books with cocktail and appe- tigers listed among the best sellers? Why have manufacturers of cocktail shakers pros- pered! Why has the glass business failed to feel the depression? Why have all sorts of fancy dco-dads directly related to liquor consumption. such as trays. patent bottle openers and mixers. lamp shades with fa- miliar labels been added to the line of all department stores and some that are not in this class? Why. and again why? Simply because the Eighteenth Amendment has drawn attention to the patent fact that in- toxieating beverages are all the sweeter be- cause they are stolen delights. It may be centuries before the amendment is repealed, as the Monitor claims. but in the interim we will be able to manufacture almost any, thing we want right in our own homes or the neighborhood distillery.
 Women Wend Way Washington