Evening star., 1943-04-20

feet on human conduct both now
and in the future.
In his budget message, the chan
cellor came right out and said the
major portion Of the extra money
that England will have to raise this
year-100 million pounds to be ex-
act-must come from heavier duty
on tobacco and alcohol. 1t is,
therefore, obvious that 1t is up to
patriotic Englishmen to smoke a
little more and drink a little more
If the money needed for round-the-
clock bombing and invasion prep
ratlons is to be forthcoming.
Scamps Become Patriots.
b There was a time when those
fblessed with virtues could frown
bon and campaign against those who
had weakness for the horrid weed
and fermented juices; but no longer.
Rakes and scamps have come into
their own at last and it might not
be long before the Empire designs
medals for those who have ruined
their lungs and stomachs in the
cause of victory.
No longer can teetotaler 20
about with smugness written all
over his face in broad Spencerian
strokes. He must admit to himself
that he is not furthering the war
effort to the best of his ability. He
cannot help but feel that If he came
home in circles once or twice a
week he would be contributing
toward the end Of the war.
The same goes for the non.
smoker. There can no longer be
any doubt as to who is most patri-
otic-the man who says, mo, thank
you. I never use tobacco in any
form," or the one who goes about
laying down a smoke screen like
destroyer escaping from an en-
gagement with heavy cruiser.
Husbands Welcomed News.
There was no real squawk over
the new heavier tax. It was ac-
cepted quietly and my scouts tell
me that this Is due to the fact that
nearly all the husbands in Eng
land welcomed it.
1t is easy to see what weapons It
puts IN their hands and what big
weapon it removes from the hands
of their wives. A husband now has
a perfect right to come home feeling
tiddley poo at 4 am. singing Sweet
Adeline" His wife can't possibly
object as all he will have to say in
explanation is that he has been out
with the boys trying to help buy
propellers for bombers or doing his
bit toward raising money for a new
airplane carrier.
The people in the apartment be-
low can never again complain about
the noise upstairs. All host has
to do when he has a rousing good
party going on and some one COM
plains is to call downstairs and
blame everything on good, old
fashioned patriotism.
Law Has Its Dark Side.
1t won't be ali fun for the Eng.
lish, however, as you we'll know il
you have ever tasted English beer
| or cigarettes. I am complete alb
stainer at home, but I have tried
to do my bit by drinking little
beer. Over here the beer comes
from the spigot beautifully fiat, de-
| lightfully warm and with no more
head on it than Marie Antoinette
had after the guillotine had finished
with her. 1t has a taste much like
that Of rainwater that has run of
q shingled roof.
An English cigarette isn't as bad
as the beer, but it is pretty bad.
The tobacco Is rolled so tightly that
you need the lungs Of glassblower
to get a puff of smoke in your
mouth. I am convinced that the
English cigarette is partially ac-
countable for the English reserve.
After smoking one, the average Eng
nshman is so exhausted he doesn't
feel like talking and really needs
to sit quietly In chair and re-
cover his strength.
Distributed BY McNaught Syndicate, 1nc)