The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-13
TO REVIVELOCAL
OPTION BILL and
POISON LABEL"
New York Prohibitionists To Re-
introduce Measures Defeated
Last Year
THIRTY ASSEMBLYMEN
PLEDGED. is CLAIM
Would Have Each Bottle, jug or
Demijohn Labeled With Dis
concerning Legend

ALBANY, N. Y. Jan. 1.-THE pro-
hibition forces OF the state OF New
York will anchor their hopes 10 two
bills IN the new legislature. The
Poison label bill, which was defeat
ed last year, will be reintroduced by
Assemblyman Elmer h. Ferry, Ale
gany county. The Anti-Saloon league
will introduce again the optional pro-
hibition bill, which provides local OPP
ton on the liquor question In cities
OF $4,000 population and In counties
which do not have cities or towns OF
more than 10000 population. William
H. Anderson, state superintendent OF
the Anti-Saloon league Of New York.
says that 30 assemblymen are pledged
20 the optional prohibition bill In ad'
vance. Last year. he says, IL ala not
have a single member OF the assem-
bly, in favor OF IL before the iegisla'
ture convened.
The poison label bill in substan
TALLY the same as the one introduced
last year except that II omrts the
skull and crossbones emblem. IL pro-
vides that special label must be
on each bottle, jug or other. container
OF alcoholic liquor used for beverages,
and that the label must have printed
in red the words This preparation
contains alcohol, which Is habit
forming irritant, narcotic poison.
These words under the section of the
bill. which is numbered 1743 p. shall
be placed Immediately following the
name or other description of such
compound or preparation. IL is also
provided that the words alcohol" and
poison" shall be displayed in heavy
face capitals In all advertisements OF
alcoholic beverages. Every person
violating the provisions OF the act
shall be deemed guilty of misde-
meanor. and upon conviction shall for
such orarsA be fined not less than
s. nor more than $50 or imprisoned
not less ..iian five days nor more
than so days or both at the discretion
OF the court
When asked recently why the pro-
vision for the skull and crossbones
emblem is omitted from the new bill
State Supt. Adamson OF the AntiSa
loon league of New York said: I'VE
have omitted the provision for the
skull and crossbones emblem for two
reasons.
'First-eWe recognize the validity
of the objection that its use on alco-
holic beverages would lessen its warn
ing effect OIL quickacting poisons.
"Second-We we're assured Of pow
erful backing if we left out that par
ticular feature
For example, the managing board
of the temperance society OF the
Methodist Episcopal church, with
power TO represent on temperance
matters the 100000 Methodist Epis-
copal communicates and the 10000
900 OF the total Methodist constitu-
ency. officially indorsed the poison
label proposition at the annual meet
ing few weeks ago on that condition,
and in addition authorized its intro
duction in congress as part OF the
Methodist temperance program,
'The law requires a manufacturer
TO tell how much alcohol Is in tonics.
washes and lotions that people put
on their hair, face and hands. What
good reason can there be for not com
polling a statement OF how much Is
in what people take into their stom-
achs? Manufacturers have to declare
as little as one-tenth of one per cent
OF benzoate OF soda in tomato catsup.
Why not make them tell about five
per cent OF alcohol in beer?"
THE skull and crossbones PROPOSE
ton last winter was regarded as a
joke in some quarters. but II intro
duced the proposition and gave us the
range. The fact that we bring the
main proposition back this year
with such marvellously increased
support Is the best evidence OF our
positive intention TO push it as part
OF our educational work until the bill
Is passed or the sale OF liquor pro.
hibited entirely"
AS soon as the poison label" bill
Is introduced In the New York legis-
lature, which will be, Mr.. Anderson
says, at the earliest possible date. a
national propaganda on the same is
sue will be started. For the national
fight. Mr.. Anderson says. the Anti
Saloon league has secured a>tre-
mendous backing"