The Detroit times., 1909-05-14
JEROME TO PRObE
COLOWATERFO[K
District Attorney Writes That
Mabee's Graft Accusation Will
Be Investigated.

William Travers Jerome, district at
torney OF New York county, has writ.
ten TO G. X. Mabee, Of Detroit. that he
will take up the charges made by
Mabee against the Anti-Saloon league.
In his letter, Jerome says:
Il beg TO acknowledge receipt OF
your letter of April II in regard 10 the
alleged embezzlement OF funds col
lected in this county by the Anti.Sa-
loon league. | shall be very glad TO
take the matter up. An abuse OF this
kind should be promptly remedied II
the criminal law affords q remedy"
Mabee has been lighting the Anti
Saloon league for some time, going all
over the country TO secure evidence.
He has "A private detective bureau
here also, and is engaged In helping
to settle labor troubles and strikes.
He went after the league In Philadel-
phia last December on the occasion of
the meeting Of the Federated Council
of Churches OF Christ In America,
which has charge of the denomina-
tional anti-liquor work, trying at that
time and without success to secure an
investigation and audit of the AntESa-
loon league books.
In his letter to Jerome, Mabee
charged that of receipts of $1,000, 900
by the New York Anti-Saloon league,
II would be difficult for the league to
account for 100000. He further
charges that the books OF the league
were removed when an auditing com
mittee called TO go over them, Other
charges are that solicitors of the
league were sold fake theological
diplomas. and that large sums of mon
ey were received by the league from
John ID. Rockefeller and others in re-
turn for political favors.
Mabee states that the constitution
of the leageu has been SO woSded that
all power is in the hands OF one man,
who can appoint all state superintend-
ents. He alleges that political indorse-
ments have been sold for cash, and
says that this condition is as import
ant to the public as the insurance
scandals. The offer is made that one
OF the UNCONVENTIONAL attorneys will
be supplied by Mabee to assist Jerome
in any investigation.
Mabee declares that he is not work
ing with the Model License league,
but that he began his Investigations
luTOuSH DtluS HlIcu ny wealthy
Michigan lumberman, whose son had
died from drink and who wished to
leave his money SO that 1t would do the
most good for the cause of temper
ance. The report made by Mabee de
termined his hacker to investigate the
Anti-Saloon league farther, and other
hackers have since assisted in furnish
ing money for this purpose. Mabee
maintains that he is favorable to the
prohibition cause and party, but
against the Anti-Saloon league.
In answer To the statement given
out today by Charles X. Mabee, OF
Detroit, charging the Anti-Saloon
League with misappropriat;on of funds
the Rev James Albert Patterson, state
superintendent of the league, said:
'Mr Mabee is familiar face in our
organization for he has been attacking
us for some time. The charge, how
ever, OF our having misappropriated
$20G. 900 is absurd. as our income last
year was only $52,110.10. The books
of the Anti-Saloon League are annually
audited by Patterson, Teele and Den
mis-, certified public accountants. The
report OF their audit has been pub
lisEed in the leagues oticia organ,
and in circular form and widely dis
scribers in the state.
IF the league had misappropriated
and embezzled the funds given to it
for the prosecution OF temperance
work, there would be no class OF citi-