The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-05-16
VETS SEEv|CTORY
IN WEST VIRGINIA
They Are Confident That
State Will Veto
Prohibition.
That

Philadelphia, Pa, May 15.-Favor-
able results TO the licensed and regu-
lated sale of liquors throughout the
country in prohibition contests. Presi-
dent Charles Dennehy. of the National
Wholesale Liquor Dealers Association.
to-day told the convention delegates,
shows that the trend OF public senti-
nent is away from prohibition.
AS proof OF his contention. President
Dennehy points to Alabama. which re-
pudated Statewide prohibition; the
adoption of the licensed sale of liquor
in Mobile. Montgomery. Jefferson and
other Alabama counties where county
option elections Were held the vote by
which Texas remained in the wet col
linn: the elimination of a majority of
& coo prohibition votes In Maine; the
return to license OF twenty-one coun-
ties in Ohio at the .nd OF the first
three-year dry period, and the awak-
ening or antlprohibit!on sentiment
throughout the United Suites.
Confident of West Virginia.
West Virginia will vote upon the
question OF Statewide proiioitiosl In
November" said President Dennehy,
THE contest there, as everywhere else.
where Statewide prohibition is an
Issue, Will again he between the pro-
hibtionists and the 'hoot-leGgers.' on
one side. and those who favor rcgu-
!ation and control. on the Their side.
Like all mountain States in which
there is considerable dry ARA. Illicit
selling prevails very largely in West
Virginia, and there is some illicit dis
filling.
This outlaw following will fight
faithfully for prohibition, and they are
numerous enough to be formidable.
THE antiprohibition forces OF the
state are reported 10 be We'll organized.
and we believe that the result in this
Statewide contest will be favorable To
our cause
In the discussion of the relation OF
the liquor association to the Internal
Revenue Department, President Den
nehy said:
1--WE are particularly fortunate In
having at this time for Commissioner of
| Internal Revenue gentleman of high
character and eminent qualification for
! the place (Which lie fills The policy of
| the national association mas peen. and
| am sure always will be. one of rigid
insistence upon compliance with every
| detail of internal revenue laws and
regulations.
| Associations Are Urged.
Elm the past year there existed in
/ the United States 923 registered dis
! uueries. There were destroyed last
! year Ivy officials of the Internal Revenue
Z Department chiefly in the South and
I In prohibition districts. 2.l7l Illicit
/ stills. There must have bean IN exist
! cncc last year, almost exclusively in
| prohibition territory, nearly 5000 Illicit
/ stills. These have been operated chief
| ~ in the mountain districts of the dry
1 counties of Kentucky and tho whole OF
/ North Carolina. in the counties in Ten
ncssee and in the remote and more eN-
elusive districts OF dry Georgia.
! sprinklcd with a fair proportion In Mis-
sissippi and other prohibition states.
No more potent argument against the
evil of prohibition could he presented
than these mute records of the activity
OF the field force of the Internal Revc-
nue. Department."
President Dennchy made an earnest
appSal for the formation OF state Ii
quor dealers associations. There are
already" he said. about twenty five
STATE associations" lie referred TO
the brilliant example Of the ANTI
Saloon League to show the value OF
highly efficient State associations.
That organization" he asserted, lis
drilled FOR prompt service in State
and nation. and the effectiveness OF
its training and discipline Is shown
In every move 1t makes.
we cannot hope for success In
maintaining our rights unt'l we meet