Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-01-03
new SUPERINTENDENT N anti, T.. /.
X SALOON LEAGUE PLANS ACTIVITY

Beginning the new year by taking
bis post IS superintendent CT the Anti
saloon League. DR.. John w. Wa1Hnan
evil In Hawaii.
The executive committee of the
League. has written for the Star-Bdlle-
tin the following statement as tosthe
history OF the league and the scope
Of its work as it begins new era in
this territory: -
The Anti-Saloon League was born
in the college library of oberlin Uni
yersity, Ohio, May "a, 1884 little
more than 20 years ago. Howard H.
Russell, a student at Oberlin. was the
founder. On December Is, 1895, the
Antf.Saioon League of America was
organized in Washington, d. G., and
DR.. Russell was chosen national SUI
Derintendent. The idea which gave
birth to the Anti-Saloon League was,
as DIR. Russell declares, that the Chris
tan church should meet the saloon
on its own ground and fight 1t with
its own Weapons. The idea was new
and big while the undertaking was
beset with many difficulties. In its
efforts at first To get the churches to
cross denominatfonal lines and TO CO.
operate with one another In a work
heretofore not regarded as part OF
it's function and to get church mem
beers to vote outside of their old party
affiliations, the league made little
progress. Up to 1900 there we're few
results and several serious set backs,
but from that year the machinery OF
the league began to operate more eff.
ficiently and since that day the Anti.
Saloon League Of America has made
a phenomenal record. Nearly three
quarters of the area of the United
States is dry" territory. Half OF the
American people live out of reach of
a licensed saloon. The league has
done more in 20 years than the Pro.
bition party has in so. While it is
not political party yet it is today
the most active and potent political
agency in the country. 1t is a league
of organizations and these organiza-
tions are chiefly composed Of the
Christian churches of America. repre-
senting every creed, sect and color.
In fact, the Anti-Saloon League OF
America is today the Church of Christ
in politics the modern church mill.
tan" engaged In holy war involving
a nationwide crusade against the sa.
Icon. Great victories have already
been Wpns Out OF the total area OF
the United States 2,130, TAG miles are
dry territory There are nine states
in which it is Illegal to sell liquor
anywhere in the commonwealth. There
are 10 other states in which so per
cent Of the total area is dry. On
the other hand, there is not a single
state OF the Union that is entirely
wet. The power OF the league has
been felt even in washington and
through its efforts the canteen has
been forever abolished from the army
hosts while the so-ea1Ied Webb Kenyon
law, forbidding the shipment of liquor
into @dryD territory, was passed in the
last day of Mr.. Taft's administration
and that too by a two-thirds majority
over the presidents veto. And now
the league proposes to enter upon a
nationwide campaign for an amend.
ment to the federal constitution OF
the United States prohibiting the man.
ufacture and sale of alcoholic drink
within the boundaries of the republic
and its slogan in this holy war. is:
"A SAL00NLESS NATION IN 1920"
On November 10th last the great
national convention of the Anti-Saloon
League of America convened in Co
lYnbus, Ohio. Over 5000 delegates
attended. They represented 90 differ
ent temperance and religious organi.
cations from every state in Their union.
On the program of speakers were
governors, U. s. senators. congress
men, 4 bishops and many others of
national prominence. -Four Roman Ca
tholic priests were present and pledg-
ed themselves for national prohibi-
ton. The convention was one of the
most enthusiastic assemblies of men
ever convened It appointed a com.