The statistics compiled have little sentiment and less moral prejudice about drinking. A rule, is a risk, and as much he is accepted or rejected. In regard to the religious or ethical character of the individual, the sole question with the life insurance company is how long is this candidate likely to stay on earth paying premiums? The longer he stays with us, the less we must tax him for his policy.

The experience of American life insurance companies was recently analyzed in respect to the mortality among abstainers, temperate drinkers, and moderate or habitual users of alcohol. It was found that the death rate among the abstainers was about 10 percent less than the rate among the temperate or occasional drinkers, and the rate among the occasional drinkers was 20 percent less than the rate among the moderate or habitual drinkers. In the experience of one company, the abstainers had a death rate of 10 percent lower than the general mortality rate. Thus, the total abstainer is a distinctly better risk, longer-lived than the occasional drinker.

These statistics mean something, because they were not gathered to bolster up a controversial claim, but are the cold facts of record. The people who furnished the figures are interested solely in the almighty dollar. 