The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-01-31
REPORT FRICTION
IN HANDLING OF
PRESENT Campaign
Anti-SalOon League Com
mittee Here Yesterday to
Thresh Out Matter
CERTAIN MEMBERS
MAKE OBJECTIONS
Those Who Signed Underwood Cam
paign Book Object to Having 1t
Called "Book of Lies"
in "Citizen"

There is threatened disruption in the
ranks of the Alabama Anti Saloon
league.
In the interest of temperance, to OBJ
viate a blow to the cause which they
considered certain to fall if present
policies are adhered to, prominent men
in the council of the league demanded
yesterday afternoon that the league
retire from the political arena as far
as the senatorial contest Is concerned.
The headquarters committee assem-
bled yesterday by special call in the
parlors of the Young Mems Christian
association. The session was executive.
Temporary adjournment occurred at 6
o'clock, and the session will be re-
sumed this morning A stenographic
report of the proceedings is being made,
and it is stated that the Rev. Brooks
Lawrence. superintendent of the league,
has agreed to furnish the contending
factions with copies. 1t Is probable.
therefore, that the session In detail will
eventually find its way into print.
Cause of Calling Meeting
1t is said that one of the most prom
inent proh4bitionists of the state. and
one who has been liberal contributor
to the cause, asked that the meeting be
called because in the Citizen, the pub
lication of the league, the Underwood
campaign book had been referred to as
"a book of lies" this despite the fact
that several of the representative mem
bers of the league had attached their
signatures to the pamphlet.
A point was made, it is said, that the
press on which the Citizen is printed
was donated by one of the members of
the league with the distinct under
interest of temperance, and not in the
interest of any politician. The members
of the league who were behind the
to secure a meeting of the
committee, eontended yesterday after
noon, it is reported, that the leagues
effort, as expressed through the Citi-
zen, in behalf of r. p. Hobson as
against Oscar w. Underwood was not
an effort in the cause of temperance,
but was an effort which would disrupt
the league, injure the cause of tenn
perance, and possibly put it back a
dozen years.
The members who are supporters Of
Mr.. Underwood declared yesterday aft
ernoon, 1t is said, that Mr.. Underwood
is certain to achieve the nomination to
the Senate. and that this fact would
cause the ardent enemies of prohibition
to declare that prohibition had been
beaten, and its friends frustrated in
their hopes and desires
No Statement Made
While no stateemnt has been made
relative to what occurred at the session
yesterday afternoon, it is known that
the debate was spirited. A number of
prominent prohibitionists, interested in
the candidacy of Mr.. Underwood, APP
peared before the committee. Among
the number were Judge n. d. benson of
Opelika, Senator James D. Norman of
Lanette and c. w. Ashcraft of Flor
ence, all members of the central Under
wood committee; j. Carter Wright of
Roanoke, for many years prominent as
an Anti-Saloon Lacquer; r. J. Wooten.
county manager for Mr. I'm
and others. Efforts made yes
terday afternoon to secure expressions
from these members We're fruitless.
Each man appealed to made 1t plain
that he was actuated in his afforts by
his love for the cause of temperance.
They hold. they said. that the agitation
Of the league in the interest of tenn
perance. and that as the great majority
of people are convinced that prohi-
bition is not an issue in the senatorial
contest, the league, instead of gather
ing strength for its future battles, was
not only losing strength by its present
course but was encountering the dam
ger of disruption in its ranks.