Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-17
IN FAVOR OF PROHIBITION
SPECIAL SERVICES HELD IN
THE CITY YESTERDAY.
Big Demonstration ct Belasco Thea.
ter-Addresses by Representa-
tive Sims and Others.

Special services in advocacy of total alb
stinence were held in this city yesterday
the most important being at a mass meeting
in the Belasco Theater in the afternoon
opened with hymn sung by chorus OF
$50 girls from the Loyal Temperance
Legion.
Rev. J. ". r. Sumwak presiding elder
Of the Methodist conference. was chair
man. He was introduced by Rev. n.
Reese Murray, pastor OF the Union Metho-
dist Episco pal Church. who said that ii
only remained for prohibitionists to con-
vince Congress of the righteousness Of
their cause. Rev. Mr.. Sumwalt declared
in his address that prohibition Of the
liquor traffic would abolish poverty.
DIR. George A. Miller prayed eor victory
for the prohib;t:onists. and Re Charles
r. Winbigler. pastor Of the FIR Baptist
Church. then spoke. asserting That half
OF the United States is under prohibtory
law.
Representative Sims OF Tennessee
ing. declared that crime in Washington
had Increased 10 per cent In the year end
ing June 30 last. and attributed the in
crease to the influence of saloons. lie
advised the prohibitionists TO appeal to
the members Of the District committee in
Congress through the constituents Of the
latter.
Resolutions Adopted.
The following resolutions were present
ed by the Rev. Zed Fl. Copp and adopted
Whereas the licensed liquor traffic is
subversive of good government, and
Whereas it is destructive to health.
wealth and morals and
Whereas it ruins body. mind and spirit.
and
Whereas it fills. penal institutions,
almshouses and orphan asylums:
'Therefore be it resolved. That we. the
allied temperance forces of the District
of Columbia. in mass meeting assembled.
do hereby most respectfully petition the
Congress Of the United States to appoint
a commission at an early date to make a
nationwide investigation Of the conse-
auent effects Of this monstrous evil. and
to cause q report Of the same to be pub
lished; and be 1t further
Resolved, That copies Of these resolu-
tons bo forwarded to members of Con-
gress state boards Of charities. Christian
temperance and labor organizations
throughout the United States, and to rep
resentatives Of the press.
Resolved. That we. the Christian tenn
perance forces, do hereby most respect
fully call upon all ministers of the gospel,
Sunday school superintendent and ,presi-
dents Of Young peoples societies In tn
day In the near future to be devoted TO
the cause of temperance within said Dis
trict. and. further. that We call upon Or
ganiZed labor and al other organizations
believing In the moral betterment OF our
fair city to join in this movement by agi-
tating the same within their respective
circles; and be 1t further
Resolved. That copies of these resolu-
tons be forwarded to the secretaries of
the various associations and organ!za-
tons.
Abstinence Conducive to Long Life.
Rev. George NJ. Cummings pastor of the
Garden Memorial Church. said that all
stainers from alcoholic. drinks I've % per
cent longer than non-abstainers. He spoke
Of DR.. William NJ Starr. the centenarian.
who died Saturday. as an example of the
benefits Of abstinence. The speaker criti-
cised the excise board for licensing a
wholesale liquor house opposite the Bust
ness High School. Mrs. Lillian NJ Stevens,
national president OF the w. c. +. t..
told of prohibition work in various sec
tons. Rev. l.. D. Clark dismissed the
meeting with benediction.
At the Vermont Avenue Christian
Church last night Rev p. A. Baker. gen
eral superintendent of the Anti-Saioou
League. preached III favor Of prohibition.
and at Calvary Methodist Episcopal
Church Dr. W. Fl. Tope. superintendent of
the Philadelphia Anti-Saloon League. ana
IN - So I, TaS.