Los Angeles herald., 1906-03-09
MAKES WAR ON
THE CIGARETTE
MRS. LOUISE |. LAWRENCE IS
HOPEFUL
Editor of Souvenir Pledge Reporter
Turns in Annual Report Telling
Work Done by w. C. T. U.
Branches

Mrs. Louise L. Lawrence, one of the
editors and publishers of the Souvenir
Pledge Reporter, and superintendent of
narcotics of the Los Angeles county w.
G. II. u, has shown by her reports the
work done in that branch in this To-
cality and the interest which has been
aroused among the influential citi-
zens.
Mrs. Lawrence, with her husband,
DR.. B. NJ. Lawrence, have been inter-
ested in the suppression of the cigar
ette habit among the youth for many
years and have Travelled over the coun-
try in a specially constructed wagon,
giving stereopticon lectures in which
they have attracted the children, after
wards securing many signatures to
their pledge. In this way they have
reached hundreds of children and made
them strong adherents of the no-cigar-
ette habit. Following is the report:
lowing, perhaps, to the congested
condition of the postoffice and the con-
sequent irregularity of the mails, re-
peated changes of our address, letters
frequently fail to reach us; consequent
ly l received no notification that my
report on narcotics was expected at our
last meeting.
Tells of Her Work
"'Better late than never-I beg leave
to submit the following brief state
ment:
During the past year we have pub
lished more than $4,000 copies of the
Souvenir Pledge Reporter cireulatin
more than 10000 copies in the daily is
sue of the Los Angeles Times October
IA, 1905. The paper contained tbA
strongest arguments in favor of agi
tation, education and legislation for
the suppression, manufacture, sale and
| use of the pernicious cigarette.
1--WE have also n1hliShA6 5000 comics
of the Souvenir Pledge Book giving
them freely to all boys who promise to
not use the filthy weed. In all, 4090
| boys and girls have taken the pledge in
Southern California, principally at our
| lectures and entertainments.
I'VE have formulated a plan for
school boys to circulate the petition for
voters signatures to secure more eff
| fective legislation, by a law similar to
| that passed two years since in Indiana
and other eastern states.
Gain Legislators Assistance
"We have submitted the same to
| Hon. Thomas j. Kirk, superintendent
of the state board of education, and
have received several letters from him
| in reply, one containing a remittance
to aid in furthering the cause prom
| Using his hearty cooperation. He has
also sent me the address of all the
superintendent and principals of the
|
schools of California.
1--WE have received numerous letters
of Endorsement from all the county
superintendent of schools of South
| ern California, including principals Of
high schools and editors.
1.-THE daily press of Los Angeles have
| opened their columns to further this
movement. Teachers and pastors, so
| far as we have come in touch with
them. have likewise bid us God speed.
"In consequence of the accident OF
last August our labors have been ma
terially retarded. We have deprived
ourselves of the comforts and neces-
saries of life to advance the work; ex-
pending all moneys judicially secured
/ by contribution, public and private
many hard earned dollars have come
| from the working sympathizers.
Need Better Financial Support
"While a few millionaires, like Sen
ator Bard, Nathan w. Blanchard of
Santa Paula, M. o. Nelson, LIE Claire,
ILL.,; Gen. Fl. G. Otis and Arthur Let's,
Los Angeles, have contributed what we
fondly hoped, business men and philan-
| thropists everywhere would be only
| to glad to do to ameilorate the condition
of the coming rulers of our glorious
| nation.
1.-THE man or boy who cannot gov
ern himself is not safe factor in the
| government of others.
1.-THE recent terrible suicide of the
young man, whose habits and character
was above suspicion (his only vice was
| the use of tobacco, proves conclusiyely
that if the alarming increase of mar
cotics is not arrested 1t may prove the
! downfall Of our glorious republc."