Evening journal., 1914-03-26
AIM TO Restore
atlanta SANITY
Prominent Men Join Hands
in League to Restore
Conservatism"
MEMBERSHIP ALREADY
IS SEVERAL HUNDRED
Irom the AtIanta Journal


5ice, morals and control of the liquor
raffic, is one of the best governed
,ities in the United States" and to
combat propaganda which would
cave the contrary impression on
people uniformed of the true con-
iltions. the Citizens League of At
lanta has been organized with head
quarters on the seventh floor of the
Peters building, and today proclaims
itself.
BY this league the issue is joined
with the Men and Religion Forward
Movement upon the bulletins which
the executive committee of that or
ganization has been publishing semi
weekly in the Atlanta newspapers.
II is because some of those bulletins
have been offensive in tone TO "A num-
Der OF Atlanta's business men that
The Citizens League has become a
TACT. These leaders in Atlanta's busi-
ness life maintain that the bulletins
have tended to libel Atlanta as a city
Of vice and evil. They declare they
have felt, In their business relations
with outsiders, the depressing effect
of the bulletins undeserved attack
upon the city's good name. The Citi-
zens League. therefore, will have as
its primary purpose the challenging
Of the sweeping assertions in those
bulletins and the combating of the
misrepresentation alleged against
the Men and Religion Movement COM
mittec.
FanaticiSm and Sanity.
That this means a determined bat.
tie in the community between what is
termed fanaticism on one side and
sanity on the other. there can be lit
tie doubt Officers of the league de-
clare its members are willing TO fight
hard for Atlanta's reputation against
unwarranted assault on moral and
commercial conditions I'm the city,
mo matter who or what may become
Involved as the fight goes along"
The league is composed among the
strongest and most substantial lead
ers of Atlanta. A glance at the list.
below. of its officers and central
committee reveals that fact. In that
list are names high in Atlanta's pro-
fessional and business life. and the
fact that men like them have as
sociated in this organization is indi-
cative Of its determined purpose and
complete resource. The league Is de-
clared to be a direct outgrowth OF
the recent controversy between Col.
r. ]. Paxon and Forrest Adair on
he one hand and the executive COM
mittee Of the Men and Religion Move
ment on the other. with reference to
the tone and nature Of the latter's
semi-veekly bulletins
Politics Its Business.
The league has been organized
,ompactly without ostentation. and
IS ready now for aggressive work. IL
win take such part as It regards nee
essary IN local politics. following the
example set by the Men and Religion
Movement; and will make politics
frankly a part OF its business.
One Of the most important details
IN the announcement made today by
the league Is that it Will establish az
once and maintain a bureau of mum
icipal research. for the purpose of in
vestigating matters dealt with in the
Men and Religion bulletins. The be-
lief of those who compose the league
is that fanaticel view has led many
OF those bulletins into error on sub
iects of Importance The truth re-
garding Atlanta-nothing more or
less-Will be the object Of the bu-
reaus constant work.
The membership of the league is
said already have been recruited up
into the hundreds Here Is the or
ganizaton statement:
Atlanta was built by a spirit which
was united progressive. Just toler-
ant and entirely free from fanati-
cism.
Recently elements have appeared
which, whether so intended or not,
serve only 70 disrupt and destroy the
city.
The Citizens League of Atlanta has
been formed for the purpose Of unit
ing the sane. conservative citizens IN
a common effort TO correct the exist
ing situation and prevent further in
jury. It's objects are the restoration
of sanity, conservatism. tolerance
and a just recognition of the rights
of all. II will keep pace with civic
affairs, both business and political
and inauguratc and aid movements
which sanely and temperately seel
to preserve and upbuild the city. Il
will very earnestly oppose all move
ments representing constant agita
ton, of absence paradying of socia
vice and irrational and irresponsible
sensationalism in all respects.
stands for sanity and conservatism
as opposed to fanaticism and hys
terra.
The matter is important. We in
vite an inspection of the personne
Of the officers and executive com
mittee
We request you TO become a mem
Der and give us your unfailing sup
port
Platform Of League.
The platform Of the league is a
follows:
l. This association shall be know
as the Citizens League of Atlanta.
2. The object and purpose of thi
association is to enlist the co-opers
ton of all the citizens of Atlanta an
Of Fulton county in the advancemeI
OF the material and moral interest
of this city and county, and to c,
operate with other organizations ha'
ing a similar purpose.
3. The membership of this associi
ton believe in the sane and reasol
able enforcement of our laws, in DR.
tecting our citizens in the enjoymei
Of life, liberty and property, in il
yiting to the city the investment
all legitimate capital: and they fu
ther believe in encouraging manufa
turing, in developing Atlanta into
hive of industry, in encouraging go,
enterprise of every kind and desert
tion which tend TO the betterment
the community; and they believe
prescribing no class of people wi
are striving toward the upbuildil