The Washington times., 1908-12-13
Continued from First Page.)

burg business men. none of whom were
saloon keepers, who merely asked him
to act in the capacity Of secretary, for
the purpose of editing arguments for
the Lynchburg press. As a student. of
economic questions and particularly of
the subject OF prohibition, Prof. Vedltz,
who is also former newspaper man,
saw no reason why he should not ac-
cept this secretaryship. He especially
resents that portion OF the attack which
holds him up as unit to teach, because
he served with the business mems or
Ganization for ten days
Reply to Criticism.
Replying to the criticism, as publish
ed exclusively In The Times yesterday,
ne said:
After reading in The Times the text
Of an attack upon me in a Chicago pro-
hibition periodical, 1 must say that
had some dinicuity IN detecting any
vestige Of truth that might reasonably
have served as a foundation for such
a tissue Of falsehoOd and malicious in
nuendo.
4 have never concealed my views on
the prohibition question from anyone
who cared to hear them. In fact. as a
student Of social and economic Ques-
tiOns, have consid dered I. my duty 10
investigate the drink evil and the reme-
dies that have been tried for IT. I have
done this during tea years sOfOurn in
Germany, France. Italy, and Switzer-
land, and four years stay in Maine-the
oldest prohibition State In the Union
While have never had any business or
social relations OF any kind with liquor
dealers or saloon keepers, I think that
the testimony of common sense and OF
experience is against prohibition, as a
remedy for the recognized evil of in
temperance.
No Reason to Refuse.
When, therefore. I was asked by a
group OF Lynchburg business men-nOt
one OF whom has anything whatsoever
to do with the liquor traffic directly or
indirectIy-tO assist in the direction OF
their publicity campaign for two weeks,
and TO edit as their secretary the mate
rial they desired TO have published in
the Lynchburg papers. saw no reason
why l should not accept. 50 long as
this work did not interfere with my du-
ties % the university.
ANY statement that I was hired by
the liquor Interests is a gratultOus mis-
representa- Ion. !. this connection, IL Is
! Interesting TO STATE that it IS reported
! that one OF the 'dry' leaders OF Lynch
burg obtained his start in business as Z
| liquor seller.
"Cf course, 7 fOTesaw the likelihood
that I would be misrepresented and
vituperated by a certain kind of Pro
hibitionists for daring 10 oppose pro-
! hibition. no matter how fair and dis
passionate 1 might be in my utter
ances.
/ Better and wiser men than I have
been slandeTousJy maligned for not
believing in the feasibility OF prohi-
/ bition-men Ike Cardinal Gibbons
Bishop Potter, Dr.. Parkllurst, Mr.
| Taft. and scores of others.
Personal Views.
Il simply express my own personal
views on this matter and no. those OF
any organization or institution. I know
nothing CT the views Of my coIIca cues
/ in the faculty Of George Washington
/ University, nor OF the trustees OF the
university on this question-precisely az
I know nothing Of their political or their
| religious views.
/ Il do know. however that the uni
versity stands for complete and sane
! academic freedom. and while as a pro-
/ fessor OF economics and sociology !
Best Coal at Low Prices. R.J.& NC