Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1914-01-31
DECLINES To WAIT
FOR PROHIBITION
Cannon Gives Leagues Po-
sition on Enabling Act
Amendments.
OPPOSES JULY PLAN.
Legislative Committee Willing For
Vote or Statewide Prohibition ami
Local Option.

Richmond, Jan. 31.-With the mi
nor qualifications the Anti-Saloon
Leaug Of Virginia is willing to accept
ali the amendments to the enabling
act proposed by the Senate Commit
tee on Privileges and Elections, save
those designating the time for the
holding the election, and fixing the
date for State-wiI3e prohibition to e
into effect. The league is determined
that prohibition shall become effect
i've not later than July, /, 1916,
whereas the Senate Committee
amendment would put the law into cf-
feet on May /, 1917.
The position of the Anti-Saloon
League is given fully in a statement
issued yesterday under the signature
of James Cannon, Jr., superintendent
cf the league and chairman of the
g2nization's legislative committee. II
rejects the amendment calling for a..
election on the fourth Thrrsd a
June an insists as eSsentis q DrU-
per cdlpliance with the term of
act upon neection to be hetc Or the
fourth Tuesday in Septembgr
The amendment relating L. ~.
qualification of voters is accspte b.
the league with the stipula r.a
instead Of limiting particlpas;oa IL
the Election to. those who, ..-
Iarly qualified ut the TIM os Jh-
approval of the act, it shall 81 chang
od to admit all persons who wcrc uu3.t
"reGisteled' voters on Januarg
1914.
In conjunction with an elect de-
fcrred until late in Septem@ q, lie
change in the voting qualiica e
gested by the ieage kould gye la-
qualified but registered vote ne
10 qualify for the election by ~
ment of their pol ltax. The commit
tee amendment makes impossible any
additions to the qualifc5 list.
No serious objection is made by the
league to the amendment which pro-
poses to substitute the ballot marked
against statewide prohibition
with one marked, "for local option" :"
1t declares it's willingness also, to
init from the bill all restrictions on
the manufacture and sale of cider and
domestic wines.
Mr.. Cannon in his statement says
the amendment proposed by the Sen
ate Committee provides that if =
majority of the votes shall be for
statewide prohibition. then after the
first day of May, 1917, there shall be
Statewide prohibition in Virginia
TIE report Of the legislative commit
tee of the league sets forth with en-
phasise the attitude Of the league on
this question of the date when the
prohibitory law should go into effect
in the following language: "Firginia
dry on May /, 1916, or at the latest
July l. 1916" and this declaration Of
the report was not only adopted by
the convention but emphasized time
end again as the fixed purpose Of
that body! The Legislative Commit
tee, therefore, has positive nstruc,
tons on this point, and cannot agree
to the change Of E1ate from May
1916, to May, 1917.
The liquor traffic has been given it!
warning. and will have full eighteen
months after the election to close out
its business and charge the character
of its investments. In no other state
have the liquor dealers been treated
with greater moderation, and it will
! ne impossible for the Legislative Com
mittee Of the league2to agree to this
amendment"