The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1935-02-22
Liberal Viewpoint
by DIR. HARRY ELMER BARNES

by DR.. HARRY ELMER BARNES
Living Triumphantly. by Kirby Page.
(Farrar g. Rinehart)
The Challenge Of Leisure" by Arthur
Newton Pack. macmillan Company
"A New Deal in Liquor" by Yandeu
Henderson. Doubleday. Doran & Coz
II IRBY PAGE has written a number Of ex-
IN tremely stimulating books attacking war
and promoting social justice In the present
volume he returns more definitely to his earlier
interests as minister of the gospel The spirit
and theme Of his latest book is well indicated by
the following paragraphs:
"The most thrilling idea thai ever entered
the mind of men is this: There exists wise
and powerful and affectionate God, holy and
righteous altogether who eagerly desires to enter
into intimate comradeship with human beings
created in His own image, and who challenges
His children to become co-workers in the glorious
adventure of creating a harmonious community
Of kinsmen.
Driven by the dynamic of this idea, mankind
has climbed its loftest pinnaces and mas re-
vealed more wildly than may elsewhere be found
the majesty and grandeur Of the human spirit.
Companionship with fellow mortals in a great
enterprise is exhlarating; communion with the
Eternal is inspiring; but only active co-partner-
ship of man with God in building fellowship
on earth can release utterly his vast creative
energies. For this reason, exalted religious ex-
perence has produced the noblest of all the sons
of men,"
THIS is certainly a noble conception of God
l. and his service, though Mr.. Page himself
', tad af in
on Jesus or Christianity" that not all Chris
tians have conceived of God in this fashion or
followed Him with such results. Anyhow we
can wish him luck And his book gives ample
proof that he has by means forgotten the
possible social interests of Christianity.
Mr. Pack has written one of the most realistic
and valuable books devoted to the problem
of leisure. It's novelty and implications he makes
very clear to us.
Nothing, certainly, has been stranger or more
replete with potentialties for change than the
rediscovery of leisure Slowly creeping upon us
in manner little suspected because SO easily
absorbed in small quantities, leisure now rises
to confront us a new problem, and what was
once regarded as the chief reason and goal of
mans age-old struggle for wealth may soon be-
come the lot of every one of us, whether we like
it or not
Just what is this New Leisure then? Manu-
facturers of cigarets will tell you it is time that
can be we'll spent smoking ever greater quantities
of cigaretS-provided of course, you smoke the
particular brand they represent. Steamship and
railroad companies will tell you it is an oppor-
tunty for more travel. 1t is time to attend more
movies to beautify your schoolgirl complexion,
time to read books and magazines, time to invest
in guns, fishing tackle, skis. Time, in short,
to buy.
The list is endless For as usual the indus
trious gentlemen with an eye ever focused on
the main chance were not tardy in diverting this
succulent phrase, New Leisure into possibilities
of increased dividends in their own line of en-
deavor.'
MIR. PACK devotes the rest OF his work to
1V1 very stimulating series of chapters sug-
costing ways in which leisure may be made per-
Sonally worth while and socially creative.
Civilized drinking doubtless will play its part
in the leisure of the future and Prof. Henderson
Of Yale University has written one of the most
sensible and constructive books devoted to this
cause. He divides beverages into three classes
those below per cent alcoholic content those
below Is or 20 per cent, and those from 20 to
so per cent.
He would place no restrictions on the sale of
the first class, would regulate the second class
as we now do tobacco ana place the same severe
restrictions the sale of the third type as is
now our practice in dealing with opium and
similar dangerous and habt-forming drugs.
In order to make spirits accessible except
for medical purposes, he would have them di-
luted to from IL to Is per cent of alcohol at the
dlstlllery Further to encourage the use of mild
beverages he would put very light taxes on these
and impose heavy ones on strong spirits.
Here is book which is worthy of the atten-
ton OF both drys and guzzlers.