Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-23
CHIEF EXECUTIVE C0NGRATU-
LATED FOR STAND TAKEN
SESSION HELD AT OMAHA TO AID
STATE PROHIBITION
Figures Quoted to Show Big Majority
of Corporations and Other Employ
ing Concerns Places Ban on
Drinking Men
tBy Associated Press.

National w C. T. u, the second
largest annual gathering of women in
the world, met here today. 1t was
preceded by a service of prayer under
the leadership of Nine. Layah Barakat,
national evangelist.
Mrs. Stevens, the national president,
delivered her annual address, which
occupied the greater part of the morn
ing session.
Mrs. Stevens prefaced her remarks
with a note of congratulation to
President Taft for his stand on the
temperance question. In reviewing the
action of corporations and organiza-
tions placing a ban on employment of
persons addicted to the liquor habit,
Mrs. Stevens said:
There have been many similar de-
termine tions during the year by or
ganizations ana prominent individuals,
the latest and most notable being that
of Mr.. Taft, who soon after his election
as president, at a banquet turned his
wine glass down and said it would
ever remain SO and in harmony with
this action and through his request no
liquors were served at the inaugural
ball at Washington.
For Mr. Taft to set the example of
total abstinence is cause for great re-
joicing by those who care for human
ity's veal. 1t is an example safe and
beneficent for all to follow Mr.. Taft
is entitled to grateful thanks and ap-
probation of a thrice grateful nation"
To Secure Prohibition Law
The report said the national conven-
tion was brought to Omaha with a
view to securing in this state a pro-
hibition law, adding:
1--WE have come to help you in your
holy warfare, which is our own. We
come not as those who are interested
primarily in commerce, although we
rejoice in true commercial prosperity,
but we come as those who represent
the great issue-the women of the
nation versus the liquor traffic"
A review of victories was given, the
work in Tennessee, Alabama, Florida,
South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Ne
braska, and other states being mem
toned.
Regarding the murder of Senator
e. W. Carmack of Tennessee, Mrs.
Stevens said:
ITO the old volunteer state Of Ten
nessee have come the saddest. and
gladdest days The saddest day was
when a murderous bullet pierced the
heart of Edward Carmack, Tennes-
sees most gifted and gallant soma
man who stood fearlessly for civic
righteousness and who nobly chal-
lenged the right of the liquor traffic to
live"
In Alabama. the report said, was
furnished wonderful chapter in pro-
hibition agitation and conquest. Gov
ernor Conner was congratulated on his
action in calling an extra session OF
the legislature to adopt more stringent
laws against the liquor traffic.
Pleads for Total Abstinence
Reviewing total abstinence the re-
port said: 'There is in the public
mind a clearer understanding than ever
before concerning the relation of to-
tai abstinence to prohibition. All well
meaning, intelligent people know that
liquor drinking is demoralizing; that
it is destructive to health and happi-
ness. to commercial and industrial ofIl
ciency."
In proof of this statement Mrs.
Stevens quoted from numerous au-
thorities and referred to statements
by heads of thirty-nine of the leaoIn6
railroad systems in response to letters
sent them by the National W. G. t. U.
asking for their policy with regard 70
drinking men. All replies stated that
there was an absolutely prohibitive
rule against liquor
"It is conservatively estimated,
therefore," the report stated, that 80
per cent of the railways, rs per cent
of the manufacturers, so per cent of
the trades and 70 per cent of agricul-
turists discriminate against workmen
who drink"
Mrs, stevens deplored the fact that
many daily papers accept extensive ad-
vertising contracts from liquor deal
ers and gave list of forty-two perl
odicals that decline to accept thls
class of advertising. She said one
periodical refused 100000 worth of
iiouor advertisements in one year.
The report appealed to the various
religious denominations to increase
their zeal for the cause of prohibi-
tion.
non with having prevented the pass
age of a bill designed to prevent in
terstate shipments of liquor into dry
territory.
The report strongly favored federal
commission to investigate the liquor
traffic but admitted it is not so greatly
needed now as it was twenty years
ago.
The annual reports of Mrs. Frances
P. Parks of Illinois, corresponding sec
retary, and of Mrs. Elizabeth P.
Hutchinson of Illinois. treasurer, were
read at the afternoon session.
The report of the treasurer showed
an expenditure of $7S,911, during the
last year.
In an address on Temperance and
Labor" Mrs. Mae r. Whitman cf Cali
fornia, Superintendent of the Depart
ment of Temperance and Labor, de-
clared that the movement for conser-
walton of the natural resources had
failed to measure up to the move
ment for the conservation of the high
est we'll being of the useful worker to
rufich the rnion is deYoted