The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-05-04
PUBLIC OPINION
Discussion OF subject invited In these
columns Writer'S must be given but
be withheld from print II desired.

pie to drink. BY far the worst
hinderance TO regulation and con.
troll Is deliberate ana cunningly de-
vised sales promotion on the part
OF those who benefit financially. A
delivery truck which makes the
rounds regularly through the
streets OF Ypsianti carries this
statement in large letters: 40 mil
lion more bottles sold in is4l than
in 19i0".
S That the repeal OF the Eigh-
teenth Amendment does not ueees-
sarily give ayericious people the
right TO commercialize human weak
ness and capitalize on human folly.
3. That at best the legslizatton
Of the sale OF liquor is merely a
concession TO those who feel they
must have ii. II is recognized as 4
necessary eyil", but nevertheless
an evil with a capital f.
10. That in view Of the fact that
We are being asked to sacrifice
many necessities, drinking should
be drastically curtailed for the
duration on patriotic grounds. as
suming that those who drink are no
less patriotic than those who do
not. As matter Of fact. however.
beer has been declared a food and,
|. am told, that breweries actually
have priority on brand new tires
for their trucks. a privilege denied
diaries who have had to curtail
milk deliveries. We are told that
alcohol as anti-freeze will not be
ayaila BILE next winter. IL is also
rumored that the liquor dealers
have a five year stock Of alcoholic
liquor on hand
II. That public spirited citizens
must rally to the aid OF law and
education by providing positive as
well as negative means of solving
the problem.
IL. That socialized recreation
through greatly augmented COM
munity program would AFFORD a
more healthy outlet for peoples en-
ergies and build up physique and
morale which should tend to reduce
greatly the necessity OF resorting to
alcohol
IS. That the profit must be TAX
en- out of liquor so that none will be
interested in the promotion OF sales
at the expense of human welfare.
Then, and only then, can education
DO its proper work In presenting
the facts and thus permitting the
individual 10 decide for himself
without being skillfully propagan-
died through liquor advertising.
Then, and then only, will II be
possible to promote true. temper.
ance and thus gradually reduce the
manufacture, sale. and use OF alco-
holic beverages.
ia. That the hrst step leading TO
this solution is the esta blishment of
an organization which will promote
these aims and ideals.
Is. That steps be taken TO insti.
tute such an organization which
shall be free from all isms except
one.-Americanism.
is. That all public-spirited citi-
zens who subscribe to the spirit
and intent OF these propositions
make their position known in no
that try mems souls. Our most urg.
ent and immediate task is to win
this war. But what will II profit us
to win through such pain aud an.
guish and sweat and tears and blood
II we are to perish eventually
through rum? There are many so
clal problems confronting the na.
ton, but the greatest OF these is
alcoholic permitted to 20 unchal.
lenged as II has since the repeal
OF the Eighteenth Amendment. The
forces Of temperance were democrat.
lied by the defeat OF the amend.
ment and foundersd for lack OF a
constructive program and intelIi-
gent leadership. Both are now at
hand. Our duty Is clear. The cha.
lenge is at every mans door.
MEHRAN X. THOMPSON.