The Forrest City times., 1912-06-14
INITIATIVE WORK
 IS ABANDONED
Arkansas Prohibitionists Decide Legal Status of Bill is
 too Uncertain.
TO PUSH LOCAL OPTION
Feared Courts Ruling Would Be Ad- verse and 1T Favorable Would
 Come Too Late.
Western Newspaper Union New, Service,

Western Newspaper Union News service
 Little Rock. Ark.-Fearing the state- wide prohibition bill pelng promulgat4 i ed under the initiative and referen1 dum would uot be constitutional if 1 passed. the executive committee of the Arkansas Anti=Saloon League has de- eided to make no further attempt to place the bllf before the voters at the coming general election II is de4 elared, however, that the fight will bel continued against the liquor traffici under the local option law
 Since the muddla into which the ini- l ttatiye and referendum has thrown afJ l fairs in Arkansas has become evident,i ] this step las been discussed by thel l leaders ia charge of the campaign. ] but no definite action was taken untib lately. when q statement was prepar- ed by the executive committee in 1 charge.
 The Rev. Frank Barrett, superin- i tendent of the Anti-Salgon League. stated that the members of the exc eatlYe committee were unanimous in the belief that the bnl should be with drawn until the legal status Of the ini- tiaiiye and refendum Is decided.
 The statement issued by the com- mittee is as follows:
 To the Prohibition People of Arkan-
 sas:
 The executive committee of the Ark ansas Anti-Saloon League, after care- | Il i1
 ditions, make the following statement;-
 First-In initiating the statewide prohibition bill we followed the ex- pressed will of the prohibitionists of. the state
 Second-We proceeded In the inf- tiation under the enabling act passed by the last legislature We did not l doubt but that we were on safe grounds, as to the regularity and con- stitutionalty of both our methods and our measure.
 Third-The late rulings of the courts, however, have thrown doubt upon our measure and our procedure, and confused the entire issue. And furthermore there is now pending in one of the courts a suit to enjoin tho submission of our statewide bill
 Fourth-The delay in getting final l decision in the courts, even if in our l favor, will make 1t impossible for us to Hake an effectual campaign in the short time that will remain before 1 the election.
 Fifth-We have sought advice from known friends of our cause in all 1 parts of the state. as 10 the course We should pursue under the circum- i stances, and the concensus is that l there is too much legal doubt and po- i lltical confusion 10 risk vote that might be considered a test of the sen l timent of the people on statewide l prohibition, and which If unfayorable might be in the way of our future eff l forts
 SiXth-In view of the divided senti- ment of our people as to the expedi- i ency of pressing the issue now. and i in view of the doubt and confusion surrounding the question, we do not 1 feel that it would be wise to continue i the struggle, nor fair to the people who would be willing to contribute the funds for the expenses of the l campaign, when there is doubt as to the validity of the victory, should We i gain it.
 Seventh-Realizing our duty to the l friends of prohibition, who naturally expect us to advise them in this emergency. We therefore advise:
 First, that the campaign Aor the pas sage of the statewide prohibition bill be discontinued, and that it be not considered an issue in the coming election.
 Second, that every effort be turned toward the vote Against License" so that prohibition by local option may i be extended over new territory. and the aggregate vote Against License" i in the state be increased.
 We confidently believe that our fin al victory in this state has only been i delayed by the unfortunate condition ! which has arisen, and that at no far distant day Arkansas will be free from the curse Of the legalfzed saloon. Re- spectfully.
 George Thornburgh. President.
 R. A. Few. Secretary.
 Dr. s. A. Scott. Treasurer.
 Dr. J. H. Estes. 1 Rev. E. C. Browning. | David A. Gates.