1916] OF THE SENATE. 331

WHEREAS, The passage of such legislation will create un-
told detriment to and confusion in the industrial and com-
mercial activities of the City and State through the campaign-
ing for the adoption of the measure; and

WHEREAS, The adoption, by referendum, of such legislation
by the majority of the electorate, were such a contingency pos-
sible, would materially, reduce the public revenue, requiring
increased and new forms of taxes; destroying millions of dol-.
lars of invested capital in plants and properties now employed
in the production and distribution of liquor, without pro-
vision for any compensation for such resultant confiscation;
through of employment thousands of men who are untrained
in any other occupation, creating untold misery, loss and de-
privation to many more thousands of dependents upon such
employes; create and foster the establishment of unlawful
devices for the distribution of liquor of inferior quality at in-
creased cost without asking police supervision possible, except
at best in a modified degree through large increases in the cost
of policing; discourage the establishment of new industries
and enterprises within the limits of the State and City, and
because of lack of accustomed comforts and conveniences at
the hotels, likewise decrease the transient population, with the
resultant losses in trade; and finally, make of thousands of
our best citizens, hypocrites and evaders of the law; and

WHEREAS, The passage of such legislation is an unwarranted
interference with the personal and religious liberty of the in-
dividual, and as such is un-American and contrary to the fun-
damental principles of the entire structure of our American
institutions and scheme of Government; therefore

Resolved, That the Baltimore Chamber of Commerce does
hereby give expression to its opposition to the passage of any
State-wide Prohibition Bill and does strongly protest to the
Governor and the General Assembly of Maryland against any
and all favorable actions upon such measures; and further

Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be forwarded to
the Governor and to the proper officers of the General As-
sembly of Maryland.

Very respectfully,

JAMES C. LEGG,

President.
JAS. B. HESSONG,

Secretary.