The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-06-12
PREPARE TO FIGHT THE PRoHl-
TON WAVE.
LONG PLATFORM
viii Work 70 Eliminate the Immoral
saloon, 20 Bring About = Temperate
Use only 81 Liquors and viii Keep
Out Of Politics.

ton OF temperance In use sOL reT-
mented beverages, the meaning of
temperance being neither abuse nor
disuse is favored by the United States
Brwers' association in a lengthy set
OF principles which the association
adopted at It's closing session today.
They also favored the elimination OF
the Objectionable features Of the re-
tail liquor traffic and set their fullest
cooperation towards their extinction.
The brewers also declare that it is q
mistake to believe that the CONNER
cial~ interestsyof the brewer stand back
of the excessive multiplication of sa-
looms or any Of the unlawful or i'm
proper practices Of the saloon keeper.
Whenever a spirit of genuine inquiry
and rational betterment shall take the
place of needless persecution aiming
not at improvement but at the exter-
mination Of their business, the brew
ers will welcome it and will gladly
refrain from participation in politics.
Platform Adopted. g
The platform says In part:
I'VE believe that q temperate use Of
beer promotes health and happiness
which are the underlying conditions Of
morality and social order and in this
belief we are supported by the vast
preponderance Of educated as well as
popular opinion all over the world.
consistent with this belief we IA
vor the passage and the enforcement
OF laws for the regulation of the drink
trafdc and for keeping such traffic
free from unlawful and improper ac-
cessories and we II earnestly desir-
Gus Of such improvement in the
drinking habits of the people as will
still further advance temperance, to-
gether with the spread of enlighten-
ment as to the proper functions of
drink whereby the individual may be
able to regulate his habits according
to the requirements Of wholesome
living.
"The brewer is charged with being
in politics and using political power
for the use Of influencing legislation,
paralyzing executive action and pro.
tecting the disorderly saloons. Such
statements are grossly exaggerated
and highly colored. Rather 1t is true
THAT the existence of disorderly sa
looms is in many cases the work oi
certain class Of politicians who keeI
them alive for their own purposes and
In opposition to the wishes Of the
brewerA
Public Sentiment Needed.
with suitable laws properly on
forced and backed by healthy public
sentiment, such disorderly saloons
could be exterminated and not only
the community purified Of %objectiona
BILE places, but the brewing trad
freed Of an incubus which it is nov
struggling to shake Of"
The platform says If the brewer
have been driven into politics It !
due to the Incorporate attacks upol
them along political lines and in clos
ing it proceeds:
I'VE turn with confidence to TIL
fair minded American public and II
the face Of 50 great q dtficulty W
ask them to consider the statement
above made.'
Asletter from j. Toppan Richardson
of the English brewers was read 4
which he stated that many church
men and other prominent people. 4
England are opposed to the efforts t
prohibit the liquor traffic.