The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-08-23
THE COMING CONFERENCE.
What One of the sieners for the Call
Says.

From the Montgomery Advertiser.
Signed by what is claimed to be the
strongest array of names ever pledged
in Alabama to a public movement, a
call was issued yesterday for state
conference at Montgomery to inaugu-
rate campaign against the adoption OF
the prohibition amendment to the con-
stitution. The conference will be held
in Montgomery at noon of September
15, and it Is expected that 1t will be
attended by at least 500 of the leading
men of the state.
The call is the result of voluntary
movement by number of prominent
Alabamians who were in Montgomery
in attendance upon the legislature
some being members of the house and
senate, and some being in the city on
business. The movement has no con-
nection with any other organization
already in the field for the fight. The
men behind the call were earnest OPP
ponents of the policy of putting a
police regulation in the constitution.
The 12o names attached to the list
were secured in half a day through
telephone communication. Nothing like
a canvass of the state was made. The
names of number of prominent Ala
bamians, who were known to be OPP
posed to the amendment do not APP
located by telephone. and specific con.
sent for the use of their name could
not be secured. In several of the
counties telephone connection could
not be secured. Representatives of
these and other counties will be Sc
cured by letter.
The first announcement of names is
merely preliminary. The list will be
greatly enlarged in the next few days
Men we'll versed in political affairs
said at the Exchange hotel last night
that the list of names was remarkable
for strength and influence. 1t was
doubted If any equal number of names
in the state would represent more in
fiuence.
1t was said, too, that the publica-
ton of this call signed by the mer
who signed 1t would show that con-
stitutional prohibition would be op.
posed by many of the best men in the
state. The list. 1t was argued. would
be refutation of the charge that only
whisky men would be found opposing
the amendment. No man would say
that the men on the list were influ-
enced, properly or Improperly, by
whisky men of Alabama.
This is an earnest effort by patri-
otto Alabamians to stem the tide OF
fanaticism," said one Of the signers
ut is purely voluntary. We have nc
connection with any other organization
We are moving in this matter solely
for the welfare of the state, and there
is no politics In the call of the proposed
conference. Our people are not, nor will
they be, candidates for office. But VIZ
believe that extreme legislation has
Jeopardized the best interests of Ala.
bama, and We are willing to make sac
rifices to halt the radicalism and ex-
tremism whic hhas characterized tho
states affairs in the past few months
The call serves notice on the agitator'
and self seeking politicians that theft
plans will be opposed by many of the
ablest. the cleanest and the best mer
in the state. The Montgomery confer
ence will mark new epoch in Ala
bama affairs. 1t will be open and W.
invite all who agree with our views
to unite with u.s.