The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-03-06
1t Is the Leagues Duty to
Get Into the Game That Is On

Grant Hudson, superintendent of the
Anti-Saloon league, says there is an I'M
preston around that the league Is OPP
posed TO the accomplishment of state
wide prohibition by statute, and that
this impression is all wrong.
He was quoted in this newspaper as
saying in Lansing that he did not con-
slider the time ripe for introduction OF
statewide prohibition measure.
The article said the league is opposed
to statutory prohibition. preferring TO
obtain results through constitutional
amendment.
q Our dispatch was all wrong according
\ 10 Mr.. Hudson who has issued state
ment in which. we believe, he proves
4 quite conclusively that it was not all
wrong.
Here is the statement. See what you
think of it:
After the election certain matters OF iegis-
lation were gone over, and nj the meeting
OF the headquarters committee held IN the
office At lansing on January itn. win "a
tional Superintendent Baker present the
following program was outlined as relating
"a 20 statewide prohibition: To canvass the
IS legislature and II II was found that there
was sufficient strength TO pass statutory
prohibition without referendum 20 urge
- IL passage. Failing In that to try and Sc
cure the passage OF statutory prohibition TO
be voted on at special election In No
vember. 1915. IL neither OF the above
could be secured, then by initiative petition
following the spring election, TO inaugurate
q vote ON constitutional prohibition to be
voted on at the first general state election
which would be November. 1915.
The reason for this decision was that II
would take as much effort as much money,
q much time. to organize. conduct. and put
&pver night for statutory prohibition as
"a Institutional prohibition. and that having
<ocured the first we would have the fight
% our hands every two years to control
the legislature In order that IL might not
4 be repealed.
II temporary results and temporary
advantage in the crusade for statewide
prohibition are not worth while, then the
Anti Saloon league has no good excuse
for existence and the main issue would
be better off with the league out Of the
way.
n THE SKIRMISH MUST BE WON BE-
FORE THE BATTLE CAN BE WON.
"A great deal of support that has been
Given the league has been given by sup
porters of prohibition willing to accept
half Q loaf in lieu of none.
The movement is in itself compro-
mise.
The brewers would gladly finance it If
e would pledge itself publicly to local OPP
lion as the limit goal of its activities.
Just at this time, when statewide pro-
hibition is an issue and while there is a
possibility of statewide prohibition, nc
matter how slight it may be in the
leagues estimation, the league ought to
have its coat off fighting for it, forget
ting meantime about alternatives.
The gaining of statewide prohibition
BY statute at the present time would not
hurt the cause of constitutional prohibi-
tion, but would help it.
And the Anti-Saloon league ought to
be for il.
AND OUGHT TO BE FOR 1T IN A
WAY THAT WOULD PERMIT OF NO
SUCH THING AS A MISUNDER-
STANDING OR CALL FOR AN EX-
PLANTATION OF IT'S POSITION.
We agree with the officers of the
league, in view of the faintheartedness OF
the league, that bill for statewide pro-
hibition at this time has not much of a
chance.