WILL AMERICAN PROSPERITY LAST? [To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.]
SIR,—I was surprised whilst reading Mr. Bradley's letter on the above subject to notice that he makes no reference to the part played by observance of the Volstead Act in relation to America's • phenomenal commercial prosperity. Doubtless many factors have gone to produce the phenomenon, but surely the one to which I refer is far from negligible.
Observers from widely different standpoints are agreed that breaches of the Volstead Act are chiefly confined to the non-producing classes, and that the vast majority of operatives, more or less willingly, accept the situation and obey the law. Where this is the case the good results are beyond question and are acknowledged by competent authorities.
Production with increased ease and efficiency, an increased demand for the commodities thus rendered available, and for others, the consequent extension of existing trading and manufacturing concerns and the entry of new adventurers into the field have all contributed to a material prosperity which breaks all records, and are in large measure the result of the elimination of the drink factor, whether volUntary or compulsory, from the habits of the bulk of.the workers. .. As there is fairly •general agreement that the repeal or any
considerable modification of the 18th Amendment is beyond hope or fear, we may regard it as an element contributory to permanence or at least to prolonged continuance of existing and improving commercial conditions across the water.—
I am, Sir, &c., FRANH AD MINS., 15 Wynne Road, London, S.W. 0.
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