Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-08-21
MAY FIGHT MULCT LAW.
Iowa Liquor callers Make Significant
hrove.

Iron Fridays Daiv.l
The first concerted move made by
the liquor dealers of Iowa tc wipe the
Martin mulct law from the statutes
was made in this city yesterday when
an organization for that purpose was
formed and funds solicited to start the
campaign. This is at least the rumor
which is filling the air, but an Ottum-
wa retailer when approached as to the
meaning of the move said, "the liquor
dealers desired more business freedom
and will endeavor to secure legisla-
ton to that end" The wholesalers
will not talk.
The meeting yesterday was held at
the Eagles hall on East Main street
and was attended by the majority of
the prominent jobbers in Iowa. A
state organization was effected under
the name of the Iowa Brewers and
Jobbers Association" and the follow
ing officers elected:
President, Anton Heb. of Dubuque.
First Vice President, VIM. Haase, of
Davenport.
Second Vice President G. ]. Huglin,
of Des Moines
ONSiStdiy, ~. II. SutdulS, VI -Olluul-
wa.
Treasurer, John L. Sommer, of Sioux
City.
Want Mulct Law Repealed.
The principal object of the associa-
ton is to work for united action by
the Iowa wholesale liquor dealers for
the repeal of the Martin mulct law
and the enactment of a straight Ii
cense law, according to the state
ments made to Courier reporter by
one of the leading Ottumwa retailers.
The local dealer is authority for the
assertion that although the wholesal-
ers are the only ones at present en-
rolled in the new organization which
was formed yesterday, it is the inten
ton OF the promoters to embrace the
retailers into the fold. That the new
formed association started early to
take up its work is evidenced by the
action OF it's committees, which the
Ottumwa dealer tells, visited the
saloons last evening, soliciting
funds for the purpose of beginning
the work in the interests of all the
liquor dealers in Iowa, and against
the present strict mulct provisions.
The retail liquor dealers, stated the
local man, have been asked to organ
ize an association and to use their in
fluence to further the work that is 70
be undertaken along this line. 1t is
thought that with the united efforts
of both the jobbers and retailers, sat
isfactory legislation can be secured.
Proposed Plan of Action.
1t is stated that the new organiza-
ton will proceed at once to make
preparations for a battle in the next
general assembly on the question of
liquor legislation. The plan, as told
by the Ottumwa retailer, provides for
an organization of the retailers to work
in conjunction with the jobbers asso-
citation, then to thoroughly canvass the
state to ascertain what candidates are
favorable to the proposed action to be
taken in regard to repeating the mulct
law, and use all possible influence tc
secure their election A campaign
fund will be raised, according to the
local dealer, and the jobbers viii go
into the fight at the next general as.
sembly with the determination to
leave no stone unturned, nor spare no
expense to secure the desired changes
in the liquor laws.
Large Firms Represented.
resentatives of nearly all the
lar 4 brewing firms were in the CITY
yes a. They We're enthusiastic
over v organization of their associa.
! lion, and it is said are greatly pleased