The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1942-05-04
LIQUOR CONTROL

Last Monday evening there was
public town hall" meeting at the
local American Legion Building.
The meeting was called by the
Michigan Liquor Control Commits
sion headed by Mr. Thomas OF De-
troit.
With certain minor variations
there were three distinct view.
points represented.
First, the problem OF the Liquor
Commission was ably resented by
its chairman who made it clear that
It's function is to regulate licensing
and the licensees according to the
laws of the state. They were seek
ing the support and the coopera-
ton Of the local law enforcing agen-
cies and the general public. The
important consideration is that the
State Liquor Control Commission
is not interested in promoting the
increase or decrease of the sale
Of liquor.
The second group was compos ed
or the licensees who have paid for
the privilege Of selling liquor under
! the state and local laws and regula-
lions. They were there 10 find out
now they might conduct their bust.
ness so as TO avoid conflict with the
Commission and with tne general
public. The important considera-
ton Is that these men, the licensees
as they were called. have an invest.
ment at stake. With them it is
business. They are naturally inter.
ested in the increasing the sale of
liquor.
The third group represented BY
public-spirited citizens and taxpay-
ers were interested in two major
problems both of which involve the
| decrease in the sale OF liquor. First
what should be done to take care
of the emergency situation in the
local community incident to the war
enort and the proximity If the Ford
Bomber Plant? Secondly. they were
interested in a long term program
looking toward a real solution of
the liquor problem.
Through the courtesy of the Yp-
silanti Press which has consistently
/ supported constructive civic pru.
grams, | respectfully submit the fol.
| lowing propositions to the citizens
and taxpayers OF our community.
]. That the total effect OF H.
ouor is decidedly and unquestion-
ally bad. Statistics on this score
are readily available, though hard.
| ~ necessary. Your own observa.
ton will furnish sufficient evidence.
Everyone will concede that If peo.
pie would only let liquor alone we
would all be better of.
2 That some people will not let
liquor alone.
| 8. Ihat the reasons why people
drink are mainly three: "a Some
people feel inadequate. not quite up
to par, feel the need of a lie" or
are trying to escape a burden.
shirk a responsibility. or forget
some defeat or failure, or are mere.
iy trying to escape a drab and mo.
notonous existence, or they find
lie an anti-climax. II all adds m
70 one thing,-inabiiity to face life
lhey can't take it,. (2D Bv repeat.
ed doses it becomes a habit with A
certain percentage of drinkers and
chemical reaction sets in which
Is the appetite. These are the
drunkards who are "allergics". one
need not elaborate on the niseries
OF thls unfortunate group and their
relatives. go The third class Is
/ represented by the smart alec"
group mostly the young set who
think it is smart to get tight" II
makes them feel important. super.
Tor and quite hilarious. II is one
way OF having an exciting time.
a. That prohibition is not the so.
luton because it shuts on the legal
supply to those who. for the above
ana other reasons. feel that thew
must drink intoxicants. This brinrs
on the bootlegser, the gaugster and
the highJaoker,-all bad medicine
D mat the repeal o, the Eth.
teenth Amendment did not solve
tne liquor problem as so many peo.
| pls naiVely assume. II merely 70.
| Introduced u in the most virilent
FORM IL meant that we had TO
start all over again from the very
bottom.
b That regulation and temper.
ance through legal action and edu.
cation are about the only avenues
ieft Tor control OF the evils inner.
eht IN the use OF alcohol as a bev.
erage.
T. That law and education are
greatly limited and severely hsndi-
capped in the teeth Of personal and
social problems which drive peo-