The Brinkley argus., 1907-03-01
"Our Friends the Enemy

We give below a letter sent out by the president of the Arkansas Liquor Dealers Association. The letter contains warming to the faithful to show the document to none but friends. How we got hold of it is mo- bodys business. It is a case in which blame is praise. The writer does not like the present legislature thinks trey are hard lot He does not like the bills pending in the legis-. lature, wants funds and influence with which to defeat them. He gives valuable testimony to the ef- ficiency of the Inter-Church Temper ance Federation, the Arkansas branch of the Anti Saloon League. The let ter is an agonizing call for help to de fiat the measures of the Federation. The handwriting is on the wall they | had as we'll begin to clean out and get ready to go into some decent busi ness: Here is the letter:
 Wynne, Ark, Feb. 9. 1907. To All Liquor Dealers in Arkansas: Gentlemer-Inclosed you will find copy of bills so far introduced in cur legislature, now in session. Senate bill No. 50 will throw at least 100 of our people out of business. This bill has already passed two readings in the Ser ate. Senate bill No l19 will, if passed, make our State dry at the next general election House bill No. l2 Will. if passed, take from us one fourth of cur business and give it to people outside of the State. There is also bill that have not copy of at present, known as the "beer bill, placing tax on every barrel of beer at Sl, and every barrel of whiskey over thirty-one gallons at S2. and e fery case, 25 cents, also house bill No. o4, to increase our State license from $500 10 $7Co.
 Sc you see what We are up against. The 6 are about 400 liquor dealers in our State, and of that number about 100 are members of this association. so that Il: less all work together and have the assistance and cooperation of all liquor dealers in the State. and nave funds to wcrk with, We can ac- complish but Ii little itttlle The I hffe Anti Saloon League has quite an army at work.
 Your president has been in Little Rock at work for the past six days, and | want to say to you that this is the hardest session he has attended in ten years, ana beg of every one of you to work and give this association all tle assistance and support in your power. It is absolutely necessary for every member of the trade to get busy. Write your senator and repre- sentative requesting them 10 work against these bills. If you have some friend in Little Rock that can helo you. you should write him at once.
 You should join this association. The membership fee is only sl6. | Fill out the inclosed blank and mail your check to our secretary at once. | If you are already member, mai your check for S6 as your annual dues. Unless We get to work at once l. we will find our business taken away from Us, or be taxed to death. so that il will bs impossible for us to make living fer our families in this business any lont te
 So let me urge every one of you to gel to work and kelp ths association Ii youcan' as it is for your own pro- lection would ask that you only show this letter to our friends, as our enemies are watching us very close. Any information that you need will DC cneertully furnished by our secre- tay
 E, J, BADlNELLl. President.
 M P. FORSTER. Secretary.
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