Evening star., 1933-10-10
rice to pay for whatever gains may be

secured"
An analysis of the public mind. the
report believes, suggests State retail
monopoly as the best form Of control
for the heavier alcoholic beverages.
In arriving at this finding. the makers
of the report interviewed more than
400 leaders in all spheres of American
life and thought. They included news
paper editors. political moguls, social
workers, clergymen, educators. manu-
facturers, labor leaders, farmers. busi-
ness men, liquor producers, prohibition
lists, Government officers now and for
merly concerned with the problem Of
liquor supervision, and Others.
Out Of the mass Of opinions obtained,
six principles were set down as COM
manding a Substantial degree Of public
support" From these principles, the
following conclusions were drawn:
Il. State wide. bone-dry prohibition
will prove unsuccessful in controlling
the problem of alcohol, unless such a
system has behind it overwhelming pub
lie support. Even then It will tend to
lessness which marked the national ex-
pertinent.
-. The experience Of every country
supports the idea that light wines and
beers do not constitute serious social
problem.
License Method Has Flaws
"3 While many States will doubtless
follow the license method In the control
OF beverages Of higher alcoholic con-
tent. this method contains a funda-
mental flaw in that it retains the pri-
vate profit motive, which makes inevi-
table the stimulation Of sales.
a. Wide experience in many coun-
tries indicates that the best approach
to the problem Of heavier alcoholic bev-
erages is through state control BY
state control we mean specifically a
system by which the state, through a
central authority. maintains an exclu-
sive monopoly Of retail sale for off,
premises consumption. This authority
determines prices. fixes the location of
its stores. controls advertising, and in
general manages the trade In such q
way as to meet q minimum, unstimu-
lated demand within conditions estab-
lished solely in the interests of society.
IS. The primary objective Of taxa
tion should be not revenue but social
control. Taxes should be levied not
with the idea Of filling the public treas
ury at whatever cost to public morality
ducing the consumption Of alcohol.
Education Has Part to Play.
IS. Education in its broadest sense
has greater part to play in creating
sober nation than has legislative en-
actment. Temperance lies in the char
acter. standards and self-discipline OF
individual men and women. Education
is slow process, but 1t carries heavier
share Of the burden of social control
than legal coercion"
The principles guiding the formula
tion OF the recommendations express 1t
was said, an understanding Of motives
and knowledge OF objectives. which
exist in the public mind
Summarized, they follow:
l. At all costs-even If 1t means q
temporary increase in alcoholic con-
sumption-the integrity and dignity of
the law must be restored. The defiance
OF law that has grown up In the last IA
years, the hypocrisy, the breakdown OF
governmental machinery. the demoral-
ization in public and private life, are q
stain on America that can no longer be
tolerated" states the report
2. Public opinion will not support
the stand that the temperate use of
alcohol Is inconsistent with sobriety,
self-control. good citizenship and social
responsibility.
Saloon Must Not Return.
3. The pre-prohibition saloon was a
menace to society and must not retlrn.
Behind its blinds. degradation and
crime were fostered. and under its
principle Of stimulated sales, poverty
and drunkenness, big profits and polit-
ical graft found a secure foothold"
4. America Is in no mood to put up
with any aggressiveness on the part of
liquor manufacturers and any indica-
ton that they are pushing their busi-
ness may bring a public revulsion of
feeling. The report points out: The
memory Of their campaigns against
temperance. Of their corrupt legislative
activities and Of their insolent intrusion
into political life in the days before
prohibition is still alive"
5. The country Is willing to take
drastic steps, If necessary. to protect
itself against the improper use of
spirits The makers of the report
assert: America aspires to be a tenn
perate nation. It has a passionate
desire that its young people shall be
protected against the greedy CONNER
cialization Of the liquor trade and the
pitfalls of intemperance. 1t breads the
hazards and ineficiencies that attend
immoderation."
6. The liquor problem can be solved
and new method and technique of
control is possible and desirable.
"A new philosophy Of change is in
the air. and political ideas are now
being put into effect. which were un-
thinkable even a decade ago." asserts
the rep 1T, asking: why should we fol-
low the old Reproduction route? Why is
it not possible to strike out into fresh
trail? If in relation to every other
business new social and political con-
trolls are daily being devised. why In
relation to this liquor business. should
We not create a new technique a new
method, by which 1t can be brought
within the compass Of what the public
really desires?"
VOTELESS TO ORGANIZE