The Washington times., 1914-04-08
By MRS. MARGARET DYE ELLIS.


The characteristics of the National
Woman's Christian Temperance Un-.
Ion are simplicity and unity, Each
member is obliged to sign the total
abstinence pledge and pay the an
nual membership dues, which vary in
different States. In every State in
the country there is a State union,
as well as In the Territories of Alas
ka, Hawaii, and a beginning in the
Philippines. Twelve thousand towns
and cities have local unions. The
work is classified into more than
forty departments. each superintend-
ed by an expert.
The department of legislation and
petitions was inaugurated in 1884.
There was not a woman in all the
crusade bands of 1851 but that be-
neved the saloons closed by the
power Of prayer would remain closed.
but they found the saloon entrenched
oehlnd the law, and found also the
law was favorable to the liquor traf-
nc. Then IL was that the women
began to study the question from a
legal standpoint.
Began Studying Conditions.
In towns and cities the women be-
gan studying local conditions. and
from that time to the present the
w. c. T. U. has been the chief fac
tor in State campaigns for statutory
prohibition. Constitutional amend
ments. reform laws in general. and
those for the protection Of women
and children IN particular.
1t has been instrumental in raising
the age Of protection for girls in
nearly every State. The age Is now
eighteen years in half the States; ard :
sixteen years in most Of the others.
The State president. or the State
legislative superintendent, remain
at the State capital during the
sessions of the legislature. For nine
teen years, or during the sessions Of
Congress. I, as national superinten-
dent of legislations. have remained
measures before Congress.
The w. c. 7. U. was an important
factor in securing the successful pas
sage of the anti-canteen law; in
securing the prohibition of the sale
of intoxicating liquor in the Capitol;
In the passage of the Kenyon-Webb
Interstate liquor bill; in the sue
ScSShtA pdSSd6C VI Tue JOuc5- w VI -
Excise bill for the District; in rails
ing the age OF protection In the
District: in the passage Of tie Kenyon
red-light act. and in other measures
As an organization 1t Is q unit
in favor of the joint resolution for
national constitutional prohibition.
introduced in the Senate by Senator
Morris Sheppard Of Texas. and In
the House by Congressman Richard
p. Hobson Of Alabama. last Decem-
ber. -T :: fs'-
Forty-one million people are now
living under prohibition in the Uni
ted States, Maine. Kansas. NORTH
Dakota, and Oklahoma are under
constitutional prohibition, while
Georgia, Mississippi. North Carolina,
and Tennessee have statutory prohi-
bition, and West virginia. by a ma
jority of more than $1,000, declared
for constitutional prohibition to take
effect in 1915.
That the liquor power breads the
quiet, effective mork Of this Christ
ian organization, Is constantly de-
monstrated. Victory after victory
have crowned our efforts. and We
believe the day will speedily come
when the watchword taken at the
commencement of the work. viz.
Total abstinence for the individual.
constitutional prohibition for State
and Nation" win become a blessed
reality.