ORATORICAL AND STATISTICAL FALLACIES "A FEW THOUGHTS AND A SUPERFLUITY OF WORDS" INTRODUCTION At no other time in the world's history has public attention been given, so largely, to the question of drink in all its phases. It is by far the chief social question of the day, and not even in Europe, where a dozen nations have become engulfed in a war of unparalleled dimensions and violence, has it been obscured. On the contrary, it has attained a prominent position in the deliberations of those who are guiding the destinies of the belligerents, and it is not an exaggeration to say that the proper method of dealing with it has come to be recognized as a matter of war policy, taking its place with that of raising armies, building of navies, increasing revenues, planning of campaigns, and the actual fighting of troops on the battle front. Here in the United States the question has become pronouncedly national within the year. Encouraged by spectacular victories in several States, though they had suffered emphatic defeats at other points, the prohibition forces laid siege to Congress immediately upon the reassembling of that body in December. They demanded with renewed vigor the passage of the bill intended to establish prohibition in the District of Columbia, and the adoption of the proposed Constitutional Amendment which, if duly ratified, would forbid the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages throughout the whole United States. The battle over the District of Columbia bill, took up practically the whole time of the Senate before the adjournment for the holidays. There is the sharpest sort of contrast between the manner in which the question is approached and dealt with in the United States, and the methods in vogue in other countries. Probably no other nation in the world has so much legislation on the subject of liquor as our own, reckoning, of course, the enactments of the several States. In this respect we have indulged our characteristic love of experimentation to the full. But our experiments, with one or two exceptions, have not proceeded along a reasoned and orderly course, with a clearly-defined end in view. There has been built up a large incongruous structure of legislation resting upon foundations of false work, patched at all points and ever threatening to topple over. Only two principles are clearly distinguishable: The one seeking to squeeze from those engaged in purveying of alcoholic beverages, the last possible dollar for state or municipal treasuries, the other aiming absolutely to destroy such business by indirect means where direct measures are not immediately feasible. The chaotic conditions thus created and perpetuated have had the effect that might be expected. The general public has suffered, those engaged in the trade have suffered. The trade, indeed, has many sins to answer for, but not the least of its offenses in degree and number have sprung from the uncertainty as to whether it was to be further despoiled of its earnings, or destroyed without notice and without compensation. If, notwithstanding such circumstances, the public drinking place still exists in the most populous States of the Union, and if it has shown a marked and general improvement in conduct and character-and there is ample evidence on this point-it would seem to be conclusively demonstrated that such establishments have a real public use and that they supply a genuine demand and need. The European conception of the drink problem has a different basis, and the method of treatment, consequently, differs in marked degree. Every European nation has had its period, when drunkenness was so common that it seemed as if the whole population might be overwhelmed. But it has generally been recognized that this evil, however widespread and menacing, was due not to the rational use, but to the abuse of products which, if properly employed, could be made to add greatly to man's comfort, enjoyment and well-being. In seeking for means to correct and limit the vice of over-indulgence, the European nations have not been driven to precipitate action or the acceptance of merely plausible theory. Before adopting new laws and regulations, they have first sought to fortify themselves with knowledge, obtained generally by commissions composed of eminent persons and equipped with every facility for exploring the whole field, The Norwegian Alcohol Commission, which recently com |