The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1907-09-17


"If there is no one to sell to, we
care not what the laws are concerning
Internal revenue or pure food. Our
only recourse now is to save our bust
ness."-President Taylor before Ma
tionaI Wholesale Liquor Dealers As.
ISOLATION.
The National Wholesale Liquor
| Dealers Association, also in conven-
ton in Atlantic City, likewise cries
out against the advance of prohibi-
ton; and while the brewers were
charging the distillers and dealers
with bringing discredit upon the
saloon business, the distillers and
dealers were declaring that the brew
ers were responsible for the 'Iow
dives and disreputable resorts" which
have, they allege, caused undeserved
prejudice against the liquor trade. The
association made complete the break
between the two organizations by re-
fusing to appoint an arbitration ocm-
mittee to meet the brewers, and in
stead voted their endorsement of the
recommendation of President Taylor
that henceferth the organization
throw its influence and support with
the temperance cause, temperance, >
in the liquor dealers vocabulary,
standing for moderate drinking.
Report after report from commit
tees and officials Of the organization
told Of the great inroads made upon
the business by prohibition during
the year. Representatives of the
largest liquor supply houses in the
country compared figures during the
session that showed loss of business
as averaged by former years, that
from light detection in Eastern and
Western states, became appalling in
the South and middle West.
The convention raised the annual
membership dues from $25 to $50 and
issued call for greater cooperation
and stronger efforts to preserve the
mutual interests of members. Local
option advocates, it was said, are vim
ming ground everywhere, to such an
extent that many houses are facing
bankruptcy. Touching upon the dis
couraging outlook for their interests,
the report of the executive committee
presented the facts that:
'tAt no time has the liquor trade had
so much to contend with as during The
last year. 1t has been heset with much
difficulty and opposition that comes
from bothin within and without. Eff
forts to restrict and suppress the sale
of liquor have been strongly urged,
and few sections of the country have
been free from agitation"
South May Be Closed to Saloons.
President Marion E. Taylor, in his
opening address, speaking of the ne
cessity of calling off the Washington
agents that every effort may be d.
rected against prohibition, said:
IF there Is no one to sell to, we
care not what the laws are concern
ing internal revenue or pure food.
Our only recourse now is to save our
business. During the last twelve
months the prohibitionists have made
grave inroadS upon this business.
Especially is this true in the South.
Unless we work with more energy and
determination to stop this tidal wave
every state in the South will be closed
against u.s.
Demand for the elimination of the
drunkard from the saloon business
is one of the peculiar, yet strongest,
Of the reforms urged by the conven-
ton.
tSaloonkeepers, said President Tay-
Tor, must recognize that they can lose
little by refusing to cater to the habit
ually Incorporate, whose spending
money is usually low, and at the best
of far less amount than could be
drawn from higher-class customers,
were the saloon given a cleaner,
more respectable appearance. (The
real motive for the liquor mans tenn
perance"D The most powerful argu-
ment the prohibitionist can present
is the drunken man Keeling from the
door of a saloon. Let us then, as
good citizens, realizing the dangers
that surround the sale of an article
that appeals to the taste and passions
of so many men, advise and urge the
retailers, all over the country, in all
their associations, to eXpel any mem.
Der who sells TO customers who are
Of Incorporate habits-a drop TO
man who can't control himeef.
Let US cut of, root and branch, the
minor, the drunkard, the criminal, the
dance hall and the vicious of every
class and kind. We should adopt
model license law and urge every city,
town and county to put it in force.
When by cur efforts We have stripped
cur business Of all ground for just
complaint, we can as a business APP
peal to the liberal-minded for fair
treatment"
President Taylor declared that the