The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-02-29
NOT DISCUSS PROHIBITION Grea Denies Report of Brewers Intentions. ToATTEND THEIR OWN AFFAIRS Will Not Consider Legislation
 Against Liquor. Mfr. creiI Say. He wm Neither Be Present At convention Nor con- tribute To AIIesea cam-
 paigs Faaa.
ToATTEND THEIR OWN AFFAIRS

E "The Southern Brewers Association does not convene in New Orleans today for the purpose of discussing prohibi- ton;
 Prohibition will not be discussed in the convention;
 X T am not going to New Orleans to assist in q fight against prohibitions;
 T am not going to New 0relans at all. and have not intended to go;
 T am not going to put up money for fight against prohibition;
 T am not a millionaire and I do not own a score of saloons in Montgomery;
 T do not own any saloon in Mont gomery."
 Naham Greil. president of the Capital Brewing and Ice Company, which is . member of the Southern Brewers Association, so spake last night when he was asked for a statement of his opinion upon the report of the Hearst news service that the association had as the primal cause of its convention in New Orleans today an intention to make q determined stand and a vigor- ous battle against the cohorts of pro- hibition. and that the presence and the money of the Montgomery million aire" would be part of the force em- ployed against prohibitive legislation.
 Mir. Greil was displeased with the report of which he denied the greater part.
 "For my own part" Mir. Greil said last night. T am not going to New or- leans to the convention of the asso- citation, of which the brewery that l am president of. and not myself. is a member. have not intended to at tend the meeting. Nor have I offered my assistance. whether by contribu- tons of money or by any other small Influence might have. to the asso- ciation to make a fight against pro- hibition.
 .'In fact, the brewers are not meet ing tomorrow to discuss prohibition at all. They do not intend to make struggle against it. We have always contended, and we expect to see our contention established as. a truth that beer Is the solution of the problem or drink in this country. We expect that even those who favor prohibition will soon recognize 1t as fact. If laws prohibiting the sale of intoxicating liquors are enacted the brewers of the Association will do all in their power for the enforcement of those laws, for they have as much interest in the well fare of the country as any other good citizens; and the fact that the prohtbi- tory laws may be detrimental to their interests VIII not 0Stef them Agol DOsAi obedience to and assistance in their enforcement
 "The Brewers are coming together to discuss their own business, not other peoples. The animation in the report in the newspapers this afternoon. that there was a significance in the selec- ton of New Orleans as a place of con- yention Is absurd. It probably was chosen because it was first selected six years ago and has been selected every year since then. may add that the majority of the brewers who win at- tend the convention tomorrow are in no way affected by the prohibition laws that have been passed.
 ''The only excuse I can see for such an exaggeration as was made in the report of the Hearst News Service is that two prominent members of the National Brewers Association, Charles J. Hoster. of Springfield, Ill.,. who is vice-presi- dent and Congressman Jake Rupert, of New York, are going to be present
 "rhe designation of me as a mtI- lionaire was a delicate sarcasm; re- gret to say that I am not not only do not own a score of saloons in Mont gomery but do not own even one"