The Topeka state journal., 1911-09-08
Merchants and Manufacturers
Association Inactive.
Has 1t Given Up the Fight for
Saloons in Kansas2
NOW BUSY IN MAINE.
ResubmissiOnists Say It Will Be
Back.
May Take Active Part I'm Next
Election.
NOW BUSY In MAINE.

What has become of the Merchants
and Manufacturers National associa-
tion?' asked a politician today. The
question was timely. as Il had 20 do
with an organization that had been
much talked about year ago and
which has since faded from the public
eye. so the reporter went to 7. N. Dol
ley. chairman of the Republican state
committee. and asked him about his
friends the enemy. Mr.. Dolley did not
have much information to give out on
this subject. Il have not heard of any
activity on the part of this association
Tor some time" he said. But you can
depend upon it these people are not
Idle. 1 understand they are efectinr
a close organization in this state. They
VIII support their friends for office
and night their enemies. And you know
who their enemies are? They are the
public men who have taken a decided
stand for prohibition"
Further inquiry into the work OF
the association did not elicit much in
formation. The heads Il the Kansas
department of the organization spent
part OF the summer on vacation. "Tt
Is an off time with us" said one. "But
we will resume our work this fall We
are well satisfied with progress made
education"
A study Of the liquor situation in
take notice. The Merchants and
Manufacturers association Is at work
in the Maine field. Maine Is the first
OF the prohibition states and the fouu-
dalton Of the structure OF the temper
ance people. Maine votes on resub-
mission next week. The prohibition
lists arc filling the newspapers with
their arguments and flooding the state
with circulars and holding meetings IN
every county. The friends OF resub-
mission walk with a panther tread and
speak In voice below the gamut or
the ear. But they are cutting ice bv
the ton. The election viii be close. It
IS believed that the vets have a good
chance to carry the old state.
What Candidate for Governor.
So just because the NJ. and NJ. A.
is not making a big noise is no reason
that it is torpid. Like Kiplings StalSy.
He's most to be feared when silent
and unseen" There is much speculation
as to what candidate TIE association
VIII support for governor. 1t is not
fair to name any man IL is likely to
help, for no one on the outside knows
With anv certainty who is the choice
of the NJ. and NJ. A. All the violent
friends of prohibition are slated for
attack. Fiat is sure The organlza-
tiOn now covers about 75 Of the los
counties of the state.
The Democrats have renouuced the
resubmission plank in their platform.
but the Democratic leaders have not
come out so strong for prohibition as
certain Republican leaders. As between
Frank Ryan and Arthur Capper for the
Republican nomination the associat ton
might be inclined TO prefer Ryan. Be
tween II )dEes and Billiard for the Demo-
cratic nomination it would possibly pre-
fer Billiard. But this is speculation.
IT may have a candidate Of its own or
may spring a third party But the as
sociation viii have strength to use IN
the next Kansas campaign. IL viii
Rave votes, thousands Of them. IL win
have brains and experience in its head
quarters. 1t will have money. It will
have energy. but il Is doubtful If it
can make much headway in Kansas.
Watch tire vote in Maine next week
on resubmission and that viii tell just
what the NJ and NJ A. can do.