The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1908-01-23
FORM ORGANIZATION
Foes of Prohibition in Wisconsin
Organize an AUTHORIZATION
Movement in Milwaukee
TO FIGHT PROHIBITION LAWS

With the avowed purpose Of creating
monster voting machine that will be
recognized as one of the most power
full factors in Wisconsin politics, and
whose complete downfall must be ac-
complished by the Prohibition party
before an impression can be made in
warfare against the saloon traffic, the
AUTHORIZATION League Of Wisconsin
was formed Wednesday in the Blatz
hotel, at Milwaukee.
With 10000 persons eligible to active.
membership, and the remainder Of the
population to draw on in placing
sympathizers Of the movement on
the rolls, the organization is confident
of protecting the liquor business Of
Wisconsin against antagonistic agita-
ton on the part of the Anti-Saloon
league. Proper regulation is wanted,
but discriminating and unreasonable
laws will be kept off the statute books,
say the liquor men.
F. 0. Thompson of Milwaukee, gen
eral organizer and head Of the movement
was most active at the meeting. It is
expected that more than 200 men from
all sections Of the state, representing
every form of the liquor traffic, will
become active in the work. Organiza-
lions Of liquor men about the state
are working hard, and upon perfecting
the big organization in Milwaukee, rep
resentatives will be sent to every part
Of the state in the interests of the
league, as we'll as to form organizations
In territories where none exist.
Two forms of membership have been
planned. The active class will COM
prise saloonkeepers, brewers, wholesale
liquor dealers, cigar manufacturers and
allied interests. In the honorary divi-
sion any male voter opposed to prohibi-
tion is eligible. An advisory committee
will comprise members in every section,
their chief duty being to report on the
candidacy of applicants. By this met
bod undesirable members will not be
accepted unless passed by this commit
tee, the object being to have a clean
organization. Only those who stand
for "square deal'' will be admitted.
Officers will be elected and the liquor
men will then be ready for the fight.
The many questions perplexing liquor
dealers of the state will be discussed
at length, and the desirability of abol-
ishing number of practices common
among saloons will be considered at
future meetings with view toward
concerted action. Desired legislation
of the Anti-Saloon league will be given
the bulk of consideration, and denun-
ciatory resolutions will be many.
Organizations Of saloon men in the
state are many and others in prospect.
The following places have them:
Beloit, Bangor, Berlin, Beaver Dam,
Columbus, Darlington, Delavan, Dari-
en-, Fox Lake, Fort Atkinson, Fenni-
more, Gratiot, Jefferson, Juneau, Ke-
nosha, Kilbourn, Lancaster, Mansion.
Manitowoc, Mineral Point, Merrill, Mon
roe, Portage, Ripon, Rochester, Shulls-
burg, Sparta, South Milwaukee, Mil
waukee, Union Grove, Stoughton, To
man, waterford, west Bend, WatertoWn
Racine, sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Osh-
kosh, Kaukauna, Appleton, Green Bay,
Marshfeld, Amigo, Ashland, Baraboo,
Boscobel, Chippewa Falls, Eau Claire,
Grand Rapids, La Crosse, Mayvilley
New London. Oconomowoc, Port Wash
lngton, Rhinelander, Stevens Point,
Waukesha.
With concerted action on the part of
the liquor men and the expected big
enlistment of sympathizers of the
cause, the Prohibition league of
wisconsin expects to have a voting
power of sufficient strength to protect
itself
Ray Donley, who has been working