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Show Shelley Points To Heavy Use Of Liquor, Tobacco Editor Citizen: In my article last week on the subject of 'What Is Wrong In Utah,' attention was called to the heavy drain on the state caused by the excessive ex-cessive use of the automobile. This week it is my desire to call attention to another drain that is sapping the economic vitality of the state ; the use of intoxicating liquors, cigarettes and narcotics, which are not at all essential to the well-living of the people. In view of economic conditions in the state today some of our leading mines and smelters closing down and want of labor staring us in the face it is up to the people of Utah to sit up and take notice. Let me present a few figures obtained ob-tained from the most reliable sources : During the year 1937 there was facts should be known that we may work together to improve conditions. George F. Shelley o sold in Utah: Hard liquors and wines (through the state liquor stores) $ 4,047,832 Beer 4,500,000 Cigarettes, 2,687,604 Total $ 11,235,436 Then if we add to this amount, the money paid out for bootleg whiskey, cigars and other forms of tobacco, together with the amount spent for tea and coffee, it is estimated esti-mated that the amount would be close to seventeen million dollars, or a total of over $30 for every man, woman and child in the state. Of course, we realize that a part of the things mentioned were consumed by tourists, but aside from this,' the figures are appalling. We complain about the high cost of education. It is said that our entire public school system, including includ-ing the elementary schools, the high schools, junior colleges, the University Univer-sity of Utah and the Agricultural college, costs the people of the state annually to maintain approximately $15,000,000, and yet there is spent in the State of Utah, for the unnecessary unneces-sary things mentioned above, more than this entire amount. We also complain of high taxes, yet the writer from investigation feels safe in 'saying that there is more spent in some localities in this state for liquor, beer and narcotics than the total amount of the taxes in those localities. And yet we live in Utah, where approximately two-thirds of the people belong to the so-called Mormon Mor-mon church. Consistent Latter-day Saints do not use the articles mentioned. men-tioned. Somebody must be using them in large quantities. If we were permitted to examine the records of the state liquor stores, we would doubtless find that much of the liquor is being sold to people who really cannot afford it, and that a considerable portion of relief checks are being spent for liquor, beer and other unnecessaries. Under our present law and regulations, regula-tions, a PWA worker receiving a monthly check for $44.00 can go to a state liquor store and spend every cent of it in one day for booze, depriving de-priving his family of the necessities of life. Is this thing right and proper? The writer does not wish to paint a too dismal picture, but feels that |