The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-18
HAVE CHANGED THEIR TACTICS Anti-Saloon League in
 Washington. NEW BILL IS INTRODUCED They Now Desire to Limit Terfitory
 of Saloons. The Anti-saIeen Leasue 0mci.is Arc Making sDesper.te Atsenpt ss Induce Excise Board to Cie.e
 Premineat Clubs.
NEW BILL IS INTRODUCED
BY ALTERED .. sToFEn.

 | Washington. Jan. l7.---tSpecfsl. D-~ The Anti-Saioon League officials have changed their tactlcs here in Wash ington.
 A year ago they were evidently hent upon trying to force absolute prohibi- ton upon the District of Columbia. They seemed greatly encouraged on account of the prohibition wave that was sweeping over the South and which has since taken such a hold upon many portions of the great State of Ohio, that nearly half the counties in that commonwealth have voted out the sa- looms.
 At the beginning of this Congress Representative Sims of Tennessee. al the request of the organizations of this city. introduced their bill He is tlis ranking Democratic member of the Dis- triet of Columbia committees. In addi- ton. he's one of the iiveliest men on the floor. and while he did not commit himself to all of the plans of the anti- saloon people. he conceded that the question ought to be considered by Congress, in. view of the intense agi- tation that has been going on in the District. Some of the local conditions did not spit him. but still he was per- feetly willing to introduce the bill, and let the contending forces light out the matter before the committee.
 Evidently there's where the trouble broke out, for not many months had rolled by before the Organizations be- gan to quarrel among themselves ag to the best way of crushing out the saloon. Many of the churches of Washington through their pastors, have taken a hand in the fight. As rule. the religious organizations have ia vored absolute prohibition. But late- ly the Anti-Saloon League. which is a more compact- organization, had a new bill introduced. Now they want tc limit the territory here In which sa- looms shall be located. The distance from churches and schools has beea so extended that if this measure were to pass there would be very few Aa- looms outside of the strictly business section oA Washington.
 The Anti-SaIoon League officials are also making desperate attempt 70 induce the excise board of the citH f1 close up a number of clubs whfea tAex insist are nothing less than authorized | bars which can do Business through the night and on Sunday when the H. censed saloons are required to cl0se. Fhey are also trying to compel the high -foued and we'll known clubs that have been in existence for years and include the most prominent people as members to refuse to serve wines and liquors on Sunday or after midnight. If this -order were to be carried sout. the Metropolitan, Cosmos and UutpeE@ sity Clubs would come under the rule. President- elect Taft was the first pres ident of the present University Club when 1t was organized here several years ago. There used to be an old University Club here, but that was merged with the Century Club partly, and some of the members were taken into the Cosmos which has . prepon- derance of scientific and literary men on it's lists.
 At one time 1t looked as if prohi- bition would probably he ordered by Congress. It probably would have been If the bill had been reported from the committee. but since the last national election the members of Con- gress have become bolder. and the Anti Saloon League people quickly saw that their best chance to hit the saloons was to prescribe the limits and that is why they let up on actual pro- hibition. They evidently hope that will ! ultimately come.
 The lIquor interests keep . strong force of keen men about the Capitol all the time, and they are not 0ver- looking q single trick, They won q big victory in Pennsylvania when the local option movement was started eighteen months ago in that State, it being about the only one in which they more than held their own. They seem to realize that if Washington City were to be made dry" the effect in the country at large would be tremendous.