1930 The Saloon in the Home

FOREWORD

By GEORGE s. CHAPPELL MY collaborators have asked me to speak a short piece ex– plaining our objects and aims, if any. This will be neither an apology nor an argument. Having read practically everything dealing with prohibition we are convinced that never, until now, has the matter been fairly presented to the public. Our main object, then, is to be fair. A glance through these pages will make ·clear to the most ardent Dry or aggravated Wet that we have taken no stand for or against prohibition. The worst that can be said of us is that we are tight-rope walkers, maintaining our balance by exhibits for both sides. \Ve admit it. If we can only keep our balance or, possibly, increase it, we will feel that we have done a good work. If you believe, with Mr. F. Scott McBride, that the Anti– Saloon League "was born of God and has been led by Him," you will find herein much to support you. If, on the other hand, you consider a Ramos Gin-fizz the clearest evidence of divine dispensation, the late Senor Ramos of New Orleans will tell you how to assemble one of these first aids to existence. In a word, we have approached our task in a spirit of sweet reasonableness, trying always to remember that temperance, as defined by so restrained an authority as the Encyclopedia Bri– tannica, "means strictly 'moderation,' although it has acquired a particular meaning in connection with intoxicating liquor." Let us keep in mind these differing interpretations. . [ v ]