The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-06-26
BRYAN MAY COME
To Stump New England for Prohibition
Cause This Fall.


Boston, June 26.--It was learned last
night that ex-Secretary of State Bryan
has been solicited TO stump for prohibi
ton on 80 days campaign through New
England, and the possibility OF his do
ing so has been attributed as the cause
for the cancellation of some of his speak
ing dates in this section. II is well
known that Mr.. Bryan is strongly in ia.
vor OF prohibition, and as Massachusetts
is the only state having an important
campaign this fall he will naturally be
called here, as he takes the stump on this
issue irrespective of party politics.
The flying squadron of New England,
which is endeavoring to sign up Mr..
Bryan, has Just completed its organza-
ton with general headquarters at l0l
fremont street. The plan Of the squad
ron is to take Il canvass of every voter
in New England for the purpose of Sc
curing an accurate tabulation and dec
laration of the public opinion on prohi
bition. 1t is the contention of the squad
ron leaders that the majority of the vot-
ers of all parties are now in favor of pro-
hibtion and that when this constituency
supports only such candidates and parties
as declare for prohibition, then all parties
and candidates will come out on the is
sue
The personal work of the local squad.
rons, working under the direction of the
flying squadron of New England, will be
supplemented by more than 600 public
meetings which will be conducted by
SPEAKERS and organizers of national repu-
tation. The public meetings will be I'M
der the direction of two groups of the
best speakers obtainable. Experts on
the economic, political and social phases
of the question will be secured. They
viii reach each place on two successive
days. Local personal work which is re-
ported to be under way already, how
ever, forms the larger part of the squad
ron's work in organizing for fight
against John Barleycorn.
This movement is being supported
largely by manufacturers throughout
New England who favor prohibition as
protection against accidents to their en-
ployes, for which the recent workmen's
act in Massachusetts, holds
the employer responsible. 1t is claimed
by some manufacturers that more than
10 per cent. of the accidents in their |
shops are directly traceahle to the use
Of alcoholics, and of this the case. it is re- |
garded as good business policy to spend |
money toward the prohibition entirely of |
the manufacture and use of such.
MIR. kershner, the secretary of the |
squadron, states that the economic phase
If the question will hold equal place with !
The political and social sides Of the dis
MISSIONS in the public meetings and that
so-called religious and moral issues will
be ignored entirely by the squadron, as
prohibition is an issue affecting food, /
'lothing, shelter and the other common
wants and Injuries OF all alike, regard
ess of creed"
When asked just why this movement
) needed, Secretary Kershner said:
There is no other organization that can
mite all classes of prohibitionists into
Tital political movement. We must go
nto politics because this is democracy,
mt on the other hand we must shake off
he shackles of conventions which are
not by the voting constituent
Y, but by the rings and friends of the
ing. We are forced by circumstances {
o 90 direct to the people There must 9
e new alignment and that can be had :
My by breaking through the barriers of
arty prejudice with concerted express =
ion of our demands upon those who
ant our votes"
The officers of the flying squadron are.
resident, Hon. John r. Lewis of Boston;
ice president, James II. Woertendyke OF
os Angeles; secretary How
I'd f. Keshner OF Boston.