California Dry, 1916—If So, Why?
By Will H. Spicer
BECAUSE those who've tried it, say "the water's fine." Because the proposed laws are effective without being violent. Because a dry state attracts more and better class immigration. Because the state remembers prohibition in San Francisco A. D. 1906. Because "Prohibition is a step of progress" is getting to be axiomatic in the West. Because 355,000 who voted for California dry in 1914 will vote that way again. Because the mothers of California have glimpsed a clean future for their children. Because the reputation of some California cities has hurt the state as a whole. Because business is getting down on "booze," and the "bums" it makes don't recommend it. Because the place of the saloon is in outlawry, along with all other proved irreformables. Because the nuisance, vice, and corruption attending the traffic in cities has forced state-wide action. Because none of the 80,000 voters who omitted to vote on the question in 1914 will let slip another chance. Because the majority that voted the red-light abatement law want to abolish the main adjunct of vice. Because it is known that a wet state surrounded by dry territory becomes a dumping ground for social offscorings. Because the grape growers' interest in continuing the wine industry is near the vanishing point, along with the profits therefrom. Because the laws presented to the judgment of the people offer two good alternatives, one milder than the other, or make a splendid combination. Because wine growers are tired of being bound to the wheels of the manufacturers' machine, and used as a mask by the "wide open" advocates. Because of some 524,000 who voted against the severer laws of 1914, a great percentage are convinced that their objections to those measures do not apply now. Because the State Federation of Women's Clubs of California, which entirely tabooed discussion of the subject in 1914, lacked but one vote of being unanimous in favor of the 1916 measures. Because a large part of the 100,000, more or less, who might have voted and failed to do so in 1914, bestir themselves to act for the good of the state in the November elections, 1916. Because voters at large realize that the important grape products are the raisins and table grapes, which yield much more profit, both per acre and in the aggregate, though at present they cover less ground, than the wine grapes. Because though revenues, local and national, from liquor in California may have totaled $24,000,000 last year (federal tax on makers and dealers, duty on imported liquor, local license fees, and federal tax on production), a conservative estimate of the cash cost to the state of crimes entirely due to drink in the same period is $29,000,000,—and other damages, both state and private, still to be counted. Because science and experience unite in proclaiming the expediency of real prohibition. "Coming, as Sure as Fate"
"I BELIEVE that I can read 'the handwriting on the wall,'" said a saloon keeper who has been in the business for twenty-two years. "I believe that the finish of the booze business is in sight, and I prefer to step from under before the roof falls in. I would not undertake to say when nation-wide prohibition is going to arrive; but it is coming, as sure as fate, and it is not many years away." He continued: "I am going to get out, and advise every other man with money invested in it to do the same. John Barleycorn has had his day." Without doubt this saloon keeper has expressed the sentiments of many others. "The handwriting on the wall" which indicates the doom of the "booze business"—a traffic that has no lawful right to exist either in this or in any other nation—is written larger and clearer each year. In fact, it is already so plain that "he may run that readeth it." And they are running, too, either into "wet" territory or into some business with a better prospect before it. The man before quoted also said, "I simply have decided to get out while the getting is good." All those who heed the ever increasing evidences of the progress of prohibition will do well to follow his example; for nation-wide prohibition "is coming, as sure as fate." "LET the man who votes on the liquor question, vote as he would if he knew he would face the Judgment the next day, and that he would have to answer in harmony with the dictates of his own conscience instead of the lustful desires for greed and filthy lucre."