Rock Island Argus., 1915-07-07
PROnlDS' LEADER
FLhYS Mr.. MANN
Superintendent OF Ani-Salooa' League
Points Out His Record Of Ii
quer Legislation.

Atlantic City. July tn review
Of the work OF thet National Anti-sa-
loon league before the annual con
vention OF the organization here DR.
P. A Baker, national aperintendent,
attacked Representatives Mann and
Underwood for the stand they took
during the ,debate on national prohi-
bition. at,tEiee last session Of congress.
He charged that Mir Underwood had
made "a strained effort to deceive by
MISREPRESENTATION and 10 furnish ma
terial fer the liquor propaganda. and
said the liquor tramckers are now
circulating his speech by The million
copies
OF the minority house leader, DR..
Baker said:
'Mr Mann. the alleged author of the
law against the white slave traffic and
Mr Mann. the sponsor for the liquor
traffic, become the Doctor Jekyu and
Mr. Hyde Of the United States con
gress. The liquor interests are
already trying to reimburse Mr.. Mann
for his activity in their behalf by
backing his candidacy for the presi-
dency."
DR. Baker began by referring to
whe. he termed the effort on the part
OF politicians to4keep the liquor ques-
tion from becoming an issue At the
next presidential. election and said
Their reason ds that if this ques-
ton once gets into the campaign It
will absorb everything and nothing
else will receive consideration. This
lis but confessing that this issue is
paramount in the thought Of the
people
@The way, however, TO keep this
question from being an issue, and the
all-absorbing Issue iu the next con-
gressfonai and presidential campaign
gis for the political. leaders Of both par
ties TO get busy and see 20 it that the
question is submitted to the people by
the next congress before the political
conventions are called. This is an
easy, practical method Of keeping it
out of party conventions. and a meth
cd that viii find favor with all public
men who are not unduIy influenced by
any political party or candidate to
seclare for national prohibition We
20 ask that the question be referred
to the states for their approval or dis
approval
ITO deny it on the ground that It is
a question for the states to settle To-
aally is to assign it to q position Of
.ass Importance than Is now accorded /
to the cattle-tick, the boil weevil, /
tainted meat. or the hook worm.
"A movement which for Q hundred /
years has rooted itself in the heart Of /
the church and the conscience Of the /
people. and which received a clear
majority of eight, exclusive Of pairs.
the first time it got a hearing in the
open forum Of congress, does not lie
down and die at the behest Of its
enemies. To all such we wish 10 say
you had as we'll try TO stop the mouth
of vesuvius with a wisp Of straw, Or
turn back Niagara with a.child's hand,
as to stay the progress Of this mighty
movement.
December %. 1914, viii always
stand as q historic date IN the caIen-
6ar of the nations life. It was the
day for the consideration Of the Hob
son-Sheppard joint resolution on the
question OF national prohibitjon-f0r /
the two hours debate as to whether or /
not the rule granted by the committee /
would be accepted by the house The /
two hours debate was utilized more /
for the discussion Of prohibition and |
prohibition than as to whether or !
not the rule should prevail It was I
adopted, however, almost unanimous /