SIXTH BIRTHDAY OF “DRY”AMERICA

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 3247, 18 January 1926, Page 9

SIXTH BIRTHDAY OF “DRY”AMERICA

Alcohol Consumption Drops 90 Per Cent

PRESIDENT DECLINES TO MAKE STATEMENT [By Electric Cable- —Copyright.! [Aust. and N.Z. Cable Association.] (Received Sunday 7 p.m.) WASHINGTON January 18. On the occasion of the sixth anniversary of prohibition, several important statements have been issued relative to the success of the measure. Mr Wheeler, counsel for the AntiSaloon League, said: "The consumption of intoxicants has dropped to a small fraction of former total records. Prior to prohibition, we consumed 174 million gallons of pure alcohol In beer, distilled spirts and wines. This Is more than twice the total production of denatured alcohol to-day. While computing all alcohols now used for beverage purposes, the total Indicates only a tan per cent, consumption, compared with before prohibition. Pauperism and slums have gone, and our political life Is cleaner. A minority opposes the enforcement of the prohibition law and the enforcement of the law Is the sole remedy against such lawlessness.'* The United States Attorney, Mr Buckner, who Is entrusted with the enforcement of prohibition In a i\osrt difficult area, namely, New York, declared well-intentioned people Strongly favouring prohibition do not insist upon the Government paying the price of real enforcement and Intimated that with his present moans ho finds the law only ten per cent enforceable. The most prominent women of the nation have signed a memorial, which has been forwarded to President Coolings, members of Cabinet, Congressmen and Senators, announcing their earnest wish to co-operate to bring about the adequate enforcement of prohibition and asking that enforcement be removed from politics and placed on the merit system, pointing out that prohibition, like all great reforms, If 111 take one or tWo, generations before success is achieved. They Opposed light wines and beers. Correspondents asked for President Coolldge's comment on prohibition anniversary, but he declined to make a statement,