The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-05-16
Alarmed at Inroads Of
Temperance People
at Elections.
CONFERENCE IS
ON At COLUMBUS
Representatives Of Three Rival
State Liquor Organizations
Started Two.Days' Session
-.Stop Warning Factions.

Columbus, May 14.--It is reported
that the three rival liquor dealers
organizations are meeting here to-
day for the purpose of bringing about
the amalgamation Of the Ohio state IL
Quor league, the Knights Of the Roya,
Arch and the Knights of Fidelity. -.
Withg the temperance people united
and the liquor people divided all tho
elections held thus far under the Beal
local option law have been carried by
the "drys." This has alarmed the IL
quor dealers and has caused the move
ment for consolidation.
John Weiss, the local liquor man
who is very prominent in state and ma
tional circles, verified the telegram
from Columbus. He said that confer
ence was opened Wednesday morning
in Columbus by representatives from.
the state bodies of the organizations.
The president, secretary and treas
urer of each organization are acting az
the conferees. The Ohio state liquor
league Is the only state organiza-
tion. The other two bodies which are
represented are national societies.
However, the present conference con-
Germs only the state organizations Of
these societies.
In purpose the conference, Is for the
formation of a consolidated body for
political ends. With the consolidation
of three societies, the entire strength Of
of the liquor element in the state
could be directed in any course with
out being compelled to fight any of
their own factions, as has been the
case.
The conference will probably last
for two days. No definite action can
be taken by the officers who are In
session. The conclusion reached by
these men must be reported to the
conventions of the different organiza-
tons, which will probably be held In
September.
|. The headquarters of the different So
cieties are located in different cities
and under the present arrangements
preclude any cooperation. The state
headquarters of the Knights of Fideli-
ty are in Cincinnati, those Of the
Knights Of the Royal Arch in Tiffin
and of the Ohio state liquor league in
Columbus. q"
To consolidate the three organiza-
tions, the national affiliations Of the
two bodies would not necessarily be
ruptured. A state agreement includ-
ing the choosing Of separate officers
a consolidation Of headquarters and
a common purpose In the enactment
Of legislation and the conduct of the
elections are the features that are de.
sired by the movers In the scheme.
Several local option elections which
have recently gone against the saloon
men and the enactment Of the Beal
local option law are the prime movers
In the "get together" attitude which
the saloon men are now adopting fol
the purpose of meeting the advances
of the anti-liquor people in a strong
| fight.
The result of the conference in Co
lumbus will be reported TO the various
independent organizations in the citiei
and the matter Of consolidation will
be discussed. Delegates to the con
vention Of the Ohio state liquor League
which will be held in Cleveland II
September will be instructed as to thu
course to be pursued. The consolida
ton of the societies will mean the de
mise of the Ohio league, as the new
combination will be separately incor
porated. s