Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-10-09
Gets Next Convention of Ger.
man-American Alliance.
WANT PERSONAL LIBERTY
Members Opposed to Prohibition by
Operation of Law.
PLANS FOR WIDER UNION
Proposed to Increase Membership
and to Extend Scope of the
Alliances influence.

After deciding to hold the next biennial
in st. Louis, and adopting
a broad platform against legislation urged
by churches. which they charge cn-
croaches upon their personal liberty
rights as citizens. the National German
American Alliance today formally ended
its business sessions. The old officers
were reelected.
The convention will wind up tonight.
when the delegates will gather at the
New Willard Hotel for a German 'Kom-
mers."
1t was decided after considerable de-
bate to hold annual conferences at which
will be present one delegate from each
niaI conventions.
To Increase Membership.
plan designed to increase the MEM
bership OF the alliance on an extensive
scale was formulated when a resolution
extending an invitation to all German
societies in the country. German veteran
associations. German Catholic organiza-
tions and all Norwegian societies to be-
come afhliated directly with the alliance
was adopted. This plan. il was urged.
will do more than anything else to unite
the German-American I'm a great organ
ixation that will be thoroughly represent
ative OF the German element of the coun-
try.
Upon motion of the delegation repre-
senting the United German Societies OK
manding that Mount Vernon. the home or
George Washington, be thrown open 10
visitors free of charge, and that the gov
ernment maintain il. Other resolutions.
ma r. ipO off ho IA N 1T
tions passed at the last convention. hon
oring of two German architects of the La
brary OF Congress, making new rulings
relating to membership dues and relating
to other matters of routine were brought
up before the convention and favorably
acted upon.
Against Prohibition Laws.
Upon the motion Of Dr. Emil Rosinger.
secretary OF the persopai liberty commit
tee. platform stating the conventions
attitude In regard to the prohibition lava
and protesting against what they claim
are violations OF their personal liberty
was presented and adopted without any
These resolutions, which cover q wide
scope denounce the interference OF the
church with the state as contrary to the
founders of this republic In establishing a
government to guarantee the permanent
separation of church and state. free from
the domination of the clerical influences
which would by law interfere with the
people ordering their lives and conduct
according to the distates of their own
consciences within the limits OF good
morals This interference on the part OF
the church and other societies and or
eanixations enlisted in the prohibition
cause, they charged. only cause the clan
destine and surreptftious use Of strong
drink and does not prohibit"
1t was resolved that the convention
condemn any attack on the liquor busi-
ness: that the government must be SAFE
guarded against these interferences with
the personal liberties of the citizens who
hold different views from others regard
ing the observance of the Sabbath day;
that the church is endangering the pres
ent freedom Of the state: that they advise
the branch societies OF the alliance to
take direct political action wherever prac-
teal and the restoration of the army can
teen to military posts and homes"
Relations With Fatherland.
During the course of today's debating
Theodore Sutor. chairman Of the New
York state delegation. laid down the
principles of the Constitution as set
forth by the alliance, declaring that IT'S
constitution provides to check nativistic
encroachments; to maintain ana sale-
guard the good friendly relations exist
ing between America and the old German
fatherland" He disayowed any right or
the alliance to interfere politically. as its
organization was for the promotion OF
good feeling and not a political machihe-
The choice of ST. Louis as the next
convention city was strongly fought oy
the Milwaukee and Wisconsin deieea
CATION, which tried to secure the gain
ering at the last convention. AFTER
considerable debate the Wisconsin del
egation gave up the fight. and ST. Louis
was accepted the next meeting
place.
up the matter of holding annual con-
ferences. 1t was pointed out that the
conferences were not to be OF the ma
ture Of a convention, but to enable the
delegates to present resolutions ana
plans to be brought up before the BIZ
ennial conventions. as the two years
intervention OF times between conven-
tions was too long to enable the dele
gates to get together on any one great
question.
Increase in Dues.
This was followed by a motion to
raise the dues Of the members OF the
alliance each a few cents, to guaran-
tee meeting the expenses required by
the convention and general campaign
work of the alliance. There was
heated discussion in regard to this. but
il was finally passed.
That the Congress of the United
States has failed publically to recog-
nize the genius Of the two German
American architects. John L. Smith
meyer and Paul j. Pelz. for their
services in drawing the plans fer the
Of Congress was a matter that
received considerable discIssion. In
the end IL was demaLded that the
names Of these two eminent Germans
be pla,e a.-ose the names of Brig.
Gen. Thonaas Lincoln Casey. chief of
enginaer United States Army, and
Bernard r. Green. superintendent and
engineer. which are engraved on
tablet In a conspicuous place in the
Library in recognition of superintend-
ing the construction of the building.
This matter was placed in the hands
of a committee.
with the unanimous reelection Of
the present officers OF the alliance, the
business session was brought TO =
close, after votes of thanks were given
to the District entertaining commit
tees and District Commissioners for
their hearty welcome 60 the National
Capital
These omcers Reflected.