Evening star., 1933-08-20
Continued From First Pnge.l

it was in the same period year ago.
And a story went the rounds about
club steward who complained that since
beer came in, MY little business has
gone out" The generation that has
grown up since prohibition has re-
Gently had its first chance to drink q
LEGAL beverage; it was novelty, ana
step to more temperate habits.
Beer Brings Employment.
But there were other good effects.
Soon labor authorities reported sub
stantial army of men, long unemployed,
at work once more. The opening OF
the breweries provided regular pay en-
velopes for coopers, plumbers. steam
filters, brass workers, miners, railroad
men. workers within the breweries and
the drivers outside Secretary OF La
Dor Frances Perkins reported that the
beverage industry, due almost entirely
to brewery activities. had gained SAL
par cent in workers in a month.
And. for the first 40 days OF nation
ally legalized beer and wine, $3.50, 900
was Welded in Federal taxes.
Public order and support. marked
increase in temperance, Nation wloe
Improvement in employment, greatly
needed tax revenue-these are the four
outstanding benefits the first months
have brought.
But will the public approval winch
accepted the legaliZation and control
of beer with such good spirit, repeat
itself in the case Of repeal?
"Do you believe" people have asked
me. that the same public cooperation
which has hailed the relative simplicity
of the beer laws will approve similar
simplicity of control for hard liquor?
"And what additions, in the opinion
of your board, must be made to the
beer laws for the proper control OF
other liquors if these are made legal
by repeal?"
Popularity Is Test.
To the first of these questions the
answer. I believe, is furnished by my
own experience. Long ago I was con-
vinced that prohibition was not en-
forcable, because it was heartily re-
iected by a large majority. You can
not enforce a law that is widely dis
believed in. But any regulation we
NAV provide for drink. which will win
the support of a majority OF reason
able men and women, will be popular
and capable OF enforcement.
NV answer to the second query is
that any law touching on the dally
lives Of all citizens, to be good. must
be simple. The American people feel
that they have been regulated all TOO
much. Certainly. at least in New YORK
State, the people wish for the mini
mum of restrictions with hard nquor
as well as with beer. 1t Is for us 10
decide what this minimum should pe.
consistent with control. order, decency
and temperance.
As to the specific details Of control,
have no answer at this time. My
mind is not made up. Our board Is
continually studying those systems
which are now working, with good re-
suits. in other countries. BY adapting
the experiences of other peoples to our
own needs, we trust that we may ar
rive at hard liquor control which
shall be tailored to the American tenn
perament. Too hasty action on liquor
control is dangerous. The spectacle OF
prohibition itself is an example OF that.
The hasty thinking which catapulted
that measure upon the Nation has, !
firmly believe set back the cause OF
true temperance at least 81 years.
From now on, with regulation, let US
make haste slowly.
Must Evolve u. S. System.
The study Of other systems Of liquor
control may be labratory material Tor
US. But since it is well established that
the American people are not shy in re-
jecting any restrictions which do not
command their respect, we must try to
select from what We have at hand,
the system o. control best suited to
Americans. Different systems OF con-
troll are now in force in Sweden, Nor
way Russia and Canada Each Is
workable, each Is truly restrictive In
its particular country. Each Is urged
for adoption in America by its special
proponents.
In Sweden the person who wishes a
drink must also buy food-not merely
q tidbit, but meal A somewhat sim
liar provision is now law IN New York
State, as part Of our present beer con-
troll. (We have various types of beer
licenses. We license restaurants, hotels,
railroads, clubs, beer gardens
connected WITH restaurants = for the
sale Of beer; and in all of these meals
are served, though it is not obligatory
to buy a meal to procure a glass OF
beer.) In Sweden, the diner is per-
mitted to buy all the beer or wine he
wishes, but the amount of spirits he
may purchase with his meal Is re-
stricted To purchase liquor for home
use rather complete QUESTIONABLE
must be filled out. The applicant must
state whether his taxes are paid, how
many there are in his family, how much
he entertains, etc. To those whose
answers are satisfactory, a permit IS
ISSUED, which permits the purchase Of
only as much liquor as his answers In
,dicate he needs. And this permit Is
revoked for drunkenness This, to-
Retl1er with government supervision OF
liquor manufacture and the limitation
Of liquor profits to 6 per cent, is the
Swedish system.
No Norway Saloons.
Norway stresses home rule, and boot
ieggers and Speakeasies are virtually
unknown. The people back up their
systems 50 completely that the travellers
toll us it Is impossible to buy drink in
Norwegian communities where the citi-
Dens have voted against 1t. There are
no saloons IN Norway. To buy liquor
you 60 to a government store, whose
salaried clerk does not use high pres
sure salesmanship.
Russia tried prohibition and, finding
It a failure, adopted its present system.
Wine, beer and spirits are all on sale,
along with groceries and provisions, in
the governments own stores. Wine and
beer are far cheaper than stronger
drinks, which are more expensive to-
day than they were under the Cars
All are sold without restriction. The
real restriction is found in Russia's
temperance education Of which shall
speak later.
In Canada se find slightly different
systems in each province Wine and
beer may be bought to consume in pub
lie placesA Stronger liquor may only be
bought bottled for consumption else
where. Some provinces require the pur-
chaser to have permit, and he must
answer pertinent questions before this
Is issued. Some restrict the quantity
sold at one time. Little intemperance Is
reported, and each province seems to
have full public support for its system.
TYheeo ara tho svstamS in hrief ont