Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1904-09-15
Def FOR SALOON
ADti-L- ague Announces Il sumption
OF Fight for Local
Option.
LABOR WITH LEGISLATURE
Annual Report Issued Showing Sources
At Back of the Proposed
Measure.

The annual report of the Illinois
Anti Saloon league for the year ending
April 30 is out. In it the saloon finds
a def that means business for the
liquor traffic. In the last Legislature
the Anti-Saloon leagues fight for local
option bill was so nearly successful
that it amounted TO a moral victory.
The report announces that the league
is coming back stronger than ever 10
fight through a local option bill. The
report is as follows:
Few people know the extent to
which the Anti-SalOOn league of Iii
nOfs mas become a comprehensive,
highly organized public institution. or
appreciate its rapidly growing power
and influence as a recognized factor
for righteousness in the politics of
an increasing number of Legislative
districts. II begins the fall of 1904
with two well equipped Offices and
three additional field headquarters,
ten expert men giving their entire time
to the work in Illinois and force of
five clerks in addition. and within six
months will move into larger quarters
IN Chicago. open third Office and con
siderably increase the clerical force.
Big sum Donated.
During its fiscal year ending April
80. 1904 the league received in cash
over $1,000. 90 per cent gain over
the preceding year, which itself had
more than doubled the receipts of the
year before. The secret of this growth
lies. first. in the drafting of a local
option bill which was instantly recOg-
nized as an issue upon which all tenn
perance forces might unite and win:
and. second. in the reorganization as
direct church federation. controlled in
every respect by board composed of
the representatives of the different
denominational bodies. This was be-
i,un in November, 1900. with one work
or and without revenue. and is being
fully consummated in 1904.
Improved business System.
All collections of every character
are sent TO the central Office and pay
mentS arc made by check from ChiCa-
20 An assistant treasurer. whose en-
tire time is given to the detail work
of the treasurer. has been elected by
the board and is accountable directly
ing and the disbursing of the funds
into entirely separate hands. Our mail
collection system has been so per-
fected that it has been adopted by
state leagues all over the country. EX-
pert counsel has been obtained on such
questions as bookkeeping, vouchers.
etc. and the board has ordered that
the accounts which have hitherto been
examined by a committee from its own
number shall be audited in the future
by a certified public accountant
The Working Force.
BY expert men is meant those quail
fed and sufficiently experienced to
represent the league in public address
or private conference. as well as to
do its detail work. Every man works
throughout the week as general super
1ntcndent. attorney. field secretary or
district superintendent, and then gives
mp every Sunday and speaks twice III
the various churches as part of a great
agitation and educational plan, and ar
the same time secures sufficient sub
sCriptiOnS not only TO pay his salary
but also to pay general expenses. such
as rent. clerk hire. postage. printing
and the publication of an official paper.
What tn Expect.
At the same rate of increase the re-
port for the year ending April 50. 1905,
will show not less than $4,000 raised
through regular channels. although
some OF the men will have worked less