Five hundred years ago, as history relates, the Great Schism divided the obedience of Western Christendom between two rival lines of Popes, elected by two rival colleges of Cardinals. An area almost as large as the United States was confronted by a problem which seemed almost as insoluble as Prohibition. It was then that there was set down in the University of Paris a great chest, into which all the masters, doctors, theologians and scriveners were invited to deposit their written opinions on ways of ending the Great Schism. Thus it is in accord with honorable precedent that in matters of great public concern men should freely toss their opinions into the common stock, there to be culled and sorted, compared and collated, till simplicity emerge from confusion, and light from darkness.
Today there is need for the taking of fresh counsel in the matter of Prohibition. A few years ago we were able to hope that a little more doggedness and patience would suffice to end the liquor problem; today that hope is waning. Something [p.viii] more than doggedness is required. A few months ago it seemed that any attempt to think out the liquor problem along new lines was vain because of the deadlock of political forces; now that deadlock is broken, and a fresh appraisal of the situation has become imperative. The Literary Digest poll has shown that those who are dissatisfied with the present state of things are so numerous that if they were united upon a common program they could impose their will upon all lawmaking bodies, and modify the Federal Constitution itself. But none of the proposals now actually before the people seems likely to serve as a basis for such united action.
In this essay the attempt is made to explore the field of the liquor problem while remaining uncommitted to the doctrinal system of either Wets or Drys. And the conclusion is suggested that the elements necessary for the solution of this question are already in existence, unperceived, in our present institutions.
Palo Alto, 25 July, 1930.
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RESPONSIBLE
DRINKING
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