The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-03-14
ADMITS CONFERENCE
Rev. James Cannon r., Issues
Open Letter.
DEFENDS MARTIN MEETING
Discussed with the Virginia Senator
Certain Features of the Report Of
Anti-SaIOOn LeaEue-Dtd IL for
Interest of the League.

Interest of the League.
I Special 20 The Washington Herald
/ Richmond Va, March iS.-A political
sensation was created here to-day by an
open letter of Rev. James Cannon. jrY
recognized as the head OF the Anti-Sa-
loon League of Virginia. In which Dr..
Cannon admits in substance the aIlega-
tons that he saw Senator Thomas S.
Martin, reputed 20 be the leader OF the
/ Democratic State organization. in Wash
/ ington and discussed with him the char
acter Of the legislative committees re-
/ port which was made 10 the Anti-SaloOn
/ League convention AZ Norfolk
/ This letter or Dr. Cannon created a
/ Juror in political circles. and VIII have
| an important bearing upon the guberna-
torial situation.
The report Of the legislative committee
Iof the Anti-Salo0n League came out
strongly for the continuance Of the policy
Of local option in ighting the saloon In
Virginia. The report was so strong In
/ advocating that principle that it WAS
| really sensational. IN view 81 the fact
| that 90 per cent Of Virginia IS dry" and
many expected that the league would de-
clare for the final battle on the saloon
with Statewide prohibition campaign.
In Interest of League.
IN defending his visit 10 senator Mar
tin and his discussion with the Senator
as to certain proposed, legislation. DR..
| Cannon says:
"He has in the past. and he expects IN
the future. 10 consult with men In official
/ life, and the fact that the paper calls
! these men machine politicians will not
/ prevent him from trying 10 obtain their
! influence and help for the passage OF
/ such legislation as he believes viii be
/ helpful for the people Of Virginia. q"
/ In the course OF his statement DIT. Can
/ non says:
las a matter OF fact DR. Cannon did
/ not make a trip 10 Washington for the
| special purpose Of seeing Senator Mar
I tin Or. Cannon was invited along with
/ other educational workers OF the country
1 10 attend the Inauguration Of Dr. f. A.
/ Noble as president Of the Woman's Col
I lege. OF Baltimore, which took place on
| February 2. On HIS way 20 Baltimore DR..
/ Cannon stopped over in Washington and
went 70 see Senator Martin. but did not
/ find him at his office, and went 10 Bal
timore without seeing him. The next
/ day. the 81, DR.. Cannon called up Sen
ator Martin by phone. and found out
where he would likely be found during
the day.
Or Cannon left Baltimore at . 2. m.
and arrived IN Washington al BIS p m
went TO the Capital building. found that
/ the Senate was in executive session con
/ corning the appointment OF Or. Crum,
and It was some time before he could
! communicate with Senator Martin. Ny
! interview was somewhat hurried. as
was obliged TO leave FOR Richmond at
/ O'Clock. discussed with him freely and
/ frankly. as ! had done with others. as
would have done even with some news
| paper reporters. the legislation which the
/ league asked. OF the next general as
| sembly-
Shipment of Liquor Discussed.
Z discussed with him particularly. how
ever. paragraph p o. the report. which
| pertained especially TO the regulation OF
/ the shipment OF liquor into dry territory
/ Why did I discuss this section especially
with him? Because Il was the one sec
ton OF the report which was largely de-
/ penQeuL upon Iue ACTON OF congress. vi
/ January I had written to Senator Mar
! tin. calling his attention 10 the provisions
which, had been proposed as amendments
10 the penal code concerning the trans
portation OF intoxicating liquors through
\ the mail and IN c. o. D. packages 10 fic-
! titious persons. and had asked for copies
OF the bills.
What Martin Says.
Replying TO my letter Senator Martin
| said: Legislation such as you indicate
would seem 10 be wise and proper Ger.
tainly intoxicating liquors should not be
| transported in the mails Of the United
| States, and it seems TO me that this
| provision might be very helpful in pre-
venting the transportation OF liquor In
/ tended to be used for violation Of Law
or 70 be sold where forbidden 20 be sold
/ by law. Where liquor is transported for
a lawful purpose. certainly there can be
no objection 10 having the bona fide
name OF the consignve on the package
I VIII be glad 10 favor legislation OF that
sort -
DR.. Cannon's letter does not saw
whether the legislation referred to by
I Senator Martin in the above quotation
was national or State legislation.
! R0V CuO0TC AN0TuTp