FIVE YEARS IN FORGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12040, 19 January 1925, Page 7

FIVE YEARS IN FORGE

PROHIIITIOI IN STATES “T.AW OF THE HAND AND WILL REMAIN SO.” SAVING TO COUNTRY. , By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright. Australian and N.Z* Cable Association. (Received January 18, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, January 17. Prohibition to-day celebrated its fifth birthday. Senator Morris Sheppard, author of the Eighteenth Amendment, issued a statement saying, that at every election einoe the law came into effect the people had signified their approval of prohibition by increasing the “dry” majorities for the House and Senate candidates. < Thus Congress evidently reflected accurately the public sentiment of the nation. During the operation of prohibition there has been a decrease of 500,000 annually in arrests for drunk enness, and there has 'been 250,000 fewer industrial accidents. A decrease in the mortality rate had developed, adding three years to the average human, life. There was less poverty and’ a saving to the people of 74,000,000-dollars annually. MAKE& FOR PROSPERITY. Prohibition had closed many orphanages while it crowded schools and’ colleges, and doubled the number of investors. “Prohibition,” declares Senator. Sheppard, “is the law of the land, and it will remain so.” In expressing the opposition viewpoint, Captain Styaton, founder and head of the Association. Against the Pro hibition Amendment, says: “Every person knows that prohibition is universally disregarded and that the population, particularly the young, have no moral scruples about breaking this law. Every Congressman, every eighth grade student,- knows that even , the mien who passed the. law break. It in the course of their daily lives in Washington as was disclosed in a recent divorce case. STROKING- A BALANCE. “A wave of ipdignation is sweeping over the country, against the,law. The only arguments for prohibition are those from the propaganda! Book of vhe Anti-Saloon League. .- “Against this we have seen < 3000 deaths from poison liquor in 1924, approximately 6000 persona disabled. Most of the fatalities occur in the socalled “dry” ‘States. There are more crimes now than ever before. “Huge sums have' been paid in an attempt to enforce the law, approximating to 10,018,000. dollars in five yesfs. The mounting list of arrests and .convictions for liquor' law violations is proof of the complete failure of Volsteadism.” 1 .