Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-05-02
REPLIES TO CRITICISM
MR.. CHARLES WILLIAMS DIS
CUsEs PROHIBITION LAWS.

can evening with the Rechabites at Gold
en- Rule Tent" was the way recent gath
ering in Rechabite Hall, 304 street south
east, was designated. The feature of the
evening was an address by Mr.. Charles
Williams, a member of the order, in reply
to criticisms that have been made con-
corning the Rechabite temperance crusade
here, In which Rev. e. Tennyson Smith
was prominent figure. The others who
took part In the good of the order program
were Chief Ruler s. E. Hissey, Mrs Mary
Z. Salkeld, Mr.. John A. Mitchell, Mrs.
Laura V. Dickey. Mrs. Ida Simms. Mrs.
Mamie Stores. Miss Lucie Larkins Miss
Lillian Lloyd and Miss Matte Scott.
Mr.. Williams Address.
In his address Mr. Charles williams, af-
ter referring to the criticisms, said I'm
the United States we have the following
states that have prohibition laws on the
liquor traffic:
Kansas, Maine and North Dakota have
absolute prohibition; Tennessee. whole
state prohibition, except eight cities
over $500 population; Iowa, whole state,
except twenty-five cities; Delaware, half
the state: Florida has partial prohibition
only 125 saloons In the whole state and de-
creasing every year. In the state of Ken
lucky, known for it's famous Kentucky
whisky there are forty-seven counties with
total prohibition, thirty-hve counties with
one license town each. nineteen counties
with two license towns, eighteen counties
unrestricted license. The following states
have partial prohibition. and are continuing
to grow stronger: Alabama, Arkansas,
California. Colorado. Connecticut, Georgia,
Illinois, Indiana. Maryland, Massachusetts,
Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri,
New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York,
North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode
onnf i,to Thy.
Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin North
Carolina. local option. and South Carolina
mas the dispensary law, which covers the
whole state
Result in Laurel, Md.
"A recent election in Laurel, Nd. puts
the saloon evil entirely out of business
there On March %, 1905, the Aiken bill,
which was enacted into law by the Ohio
state legislature. has put 5000 saloons Out
of business. This tends to show that the
sentiment In behalf of prohibition of the
lquor traffio Is growing in favor with the
people all over the United States, and
therefore. a betterment of mankind
The idea of prohibition laws on the
liquor traffic being a failure Is an absurd
the authorities have failed to execute the
law, and nothing more The intent of the
law cannot be blamed for this. Rev. E
Tennyson Smith is right when he says
ilioit the StdteHicHt tfldl tdWs
are a failure is a lie. and those that say
prohibition of the liquor traffic cannot be
enforced tell what is not So This is also
my sentiment on this question. No reason
can be given why prohibition of the liquor
traffic should not be enacted in the Dis
trict of Columbia other than that it can
not be enforced 1t can be enforced the
same as any other law If those in author
ity wish to carry out their duty. So, there
fore. this is fimsy pretext.
Cause Advancing.
THE critics admit the fact that the cause
of temperance is advancing. necessarily en-
bracing restriction and prohibition of the
liquor traffic in many communities and
showing to the betterment of those COM
munities.
Further. / desire to set right that the
Prohibition Crusade League of the Dis
trict is not a political body nor an adj
junct OF the prohibition party, but simply
a representative body of citizens of the Dis
trict of Columbia to promote House bill
No 6016, known as the Weber BILL rela-
tive to prohibiting the manufacture and
sale of Intoxicating liquors In the District o.
Columbia