The Washington herald., 1908-02-17
HOLD MASS MEETING
Temperance Forces in Rally
at the BelaScO Theater
PROHIBITION SPEAKERS HEARD
Sims. of Tennessee.
Author Of Congregational Bill,
Gives His Opinion of Conditions in
the District-SpeciaI Temperance
Services Held in Many Churches.

Services Held in Many Churches.
Temperance ideas were we'll defined in
the National Capital yesterday. Many Of
the churches, morning and evening. held
special temperance services. at which
prohibition addresses were made.
In the afternoon q biz mass meeting
temperance RAILWAYS held in the Belaseo
Theater. and battery Of oratory was .et
loose against the evil Of drink
The mass meeting was formally opened
By $50 girls Of the Loyal Temperance
Legion marching on the stage and sing
ing temperance hymn. A drum corps Of
boys from the various legions attended
in body, and played several selections.
Would Impress Congress.
Rev, John W r. SumwaIt presided as
chairman Of the meeting. He was intro
duced by Rev. n Reese Murray. pastor
of the Union NJ. Z. Church. Before in
Producing the chairman. Rev. Mr.. Mur-
ray declared that the saloon must go
Prohibition is almost in our grasp"
he said. and il only remains for US 10
impress Congress with our wants"
Rev Mr.. Sumwalt said the liquor question
is something that affects the life Of the
nation He said the greater part Of crime
was due 10 drinking, adding
The best guard that this city could
have against the many recent attacks on
women would be 70 nave the saloons
closed and padlocks put on their doors.
Nothing is better for all classes than
prohibition It affects labor and all other
classes II there We're no saloons. taxes
would be reduced. and there would be no
need Of jails. Poverty would also be
abolished.
DR.. George A. Miller prayed for victory
for the temperance forces. and Rev.
Charles r WinbigIer. pastor OF the First
eBaptist Church. was introduced. Dr.
WiHbigler declared that 0ne-haIf Of the
country is prohibition. and that one-third
of the population is under tie particular
dominion Of prohibition. He said that
In the social life Of the nation there are,
four great compelling systems. these.
he said. were the home, the school. the
church, and the saloon
Address by Mr.. sims.
Representative Sims. Of Tennessee. .u-
thor Of the Sims prohibition bill was the
next speaker Mr. Sims carried an an
nual police report Of the District metro
politan police for the year from June %.
1906, 20 The same date in 1907. and made
an analysis Of its contents.
He declared that in the time between
June. l905, and June. 1907 crime I'm the
city had increased 10 per cent. As there
was prosperity during that time. the
speaker declared The only reason Tor this
Increase over previous years must be IaIJ
at the door Of the saloon.
In speaking Of the revenue derived
from the liquor traffic. Representative
Sims said that If the revenue was what
people wanted they would better open
up licensed gambling houses" Such a
move, he declared. would iii the pockets
OF the government, as the gamblers would
pay almost any license. and then make
money.
The speaker advised those present 10
hold meetings. ana Try and reach the
members Of Congress on the District
Committee through their continents.
Resolutions Adopted.
Resolutions read by Rev. zed H. Copp.
as follows were adopted.
Whereas The licensed liquor traie IS 5ab7ers.re OF
whereas ii is destrae,i1e to health. wealth. and
morals. and
Whereas it ruins BODY. mind and spirit and
Whereas IL ills penal institutions. smsh0Uses
and orphan o-yiCias Therefore he Il
Resolved That We. tie allied Temperance forces OF
the District Of Columbia On mass meeting Assem-
bed, do hereby most respectfully petition the Con
rress Of the United States % appoint commission
at an early date O. make nati0n-Iic Investigation
II the consequent effects Of this m0ustr0Us cr and
N cause report Of the same % be published; and
he 10 further
Resolved That copies Of these resolutions be for
warded % members ~ Congress. state boards OF
charities Christian temperance and labor ofganzs
tions throughout the United States. and % repre-
scnrArTes OF the UTes-
Resolved That we. the Christian Temperance
forces do hereby most respectfully call uuon al
ministers Of the Gospel Sunday school sparinteni-
ourS and presidents II Young peoples societies N ta
DEtri-t CT Columbia % set apart a sunday IN the
near future 70 De- devoted 10 the cause OF terurr-
ance within said District: and. further that We caIl
upon organized labor and all other Organizations
believing in the moral betterment Of our fair city
~ -'AA az tAA movement ny s4lLatluA the same
within their respective circles. and be il further
Resolved. That copies Of these resolutions be for.
wared 20 the secretaries Of the various associations
and organizations.
Refers to DIR. Starr.
Rev George VI. Cummings. pastor Of
the Garden Memorial Church, made an
address IN which he spoke of the evils
wrought by the use Of liquor He said
that the man who did not drink lived. ac-
cording to statistics, . per cent longer
than the moderate drinker. He spoke of
Or. William NJ. Starr, who died Saturday