The Brewers for Reform

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Tacoma Park Station, Washington, D.C. · Jul 1, 1909

The Brewers for Reform

The annual session of the United States Brewers’ Association was held at Atlantic City, N. J., on June 3. One of the topics which received the most careful consideration of the meeting was the “proper regulation of the liquor traffic and the strict enforcement of the laws governing saloons.” The recent sweeping victories of the temperance forces in various parts of the country have thoroughly frightened the strongest men of the liquor interests, and they have determined to eliminate what they regard as the most offensive features of the liquor traffic, that by this means they may forestall the complete ruin of their business. They propose to “assist the authorities in wiping out the low dives,” in “eliminating vice from the business,” in “regulating the saloons,” and in “the enforcement of the law.” But those features which have made the saloon a reprobate in the estimation of a multitude of the people are as natural to it as the thorn is to the shrub that bears it. They are the fruit of the saloon, and not merely its companions in evil, which can be dispensed with at will. The efforts of the brewers to eliminate the worst features of their business are not instigated by a desire to enhance the welfare of the community, but to save from ruin a business which never ought to have had an existence.