The Dividends of Prohibition 177

much to say against the ruinous quality of available
liquor. Whatever the ill effects of such liquor may
be, there was practically no testimony that it had
tended to reduce productivity.”
An important detail of the economic gains resulting
 from prohibition is supplied in the testimony of
Joseph E. Gilbert, builder of many of New York's
tall structures, in a report of his address to the members
 of a building firm, published by the New York
Times, January 20, 1929. Mr. Gilbert is quoted:
“With the coming of prohibition, it was believed
in many quarters that the throwing of so many
saloon corners on the market would cause a sharp
decline in values, which would also have a bad effect
on other properties. Such, however, has not been
the case. We found that saloons were not the only
class of business desirous of obtaining corner locations
 and paying well for them. Today the value of
practically every corner formerly used for dispensing
liquor has increased from two to four times.”

No Economist Denies Gains

So much for the physiological testimony as to the
impairment produced by even moderate amounts of
alcohol affecting the efficiency of workmen. As for
the testimony of economists, Prohibition Commissioner
 Doran recently issued a statement that he had
failed to find any economist who would gainsay that
prohibition has been a vast help to welfare in the
United States. I can verify this testimony. I was
requested by the then President of the American