The Washington times., 1916-02-03
RETAIL LIQUOR.
.MIENTO.WARON
BILL
Convention Here Adopts Reso-
lutiOns For Opposition to
Plan For Dry District.

Unalterable opposition to the Sheppard
District prohibition bill. the Hobson
| amendment providing. for national pro-
hibitiong and to the policy and methods
of the Anti-Saloonl League in geenral.
was EXPRESSED by the National Retail
Liquor Dealers Association today in
resolutions ns-unanimouslY adopted at the
National Hotel
The association also adopted a. reso-
luton in which II teDlored the activities
Of brewers whom they charge with sup
plying "bootleRRers'' i'm dry States and
thus keep certain States dry.
The resolution dealing with the PhsD-
pard bill and Hobson amendment fol-
lows:
Text of Resolution.
Whereas the prohibition agitation
fosteredt by the Anti-Saloon League.
and allied organizations misuse the
functions of government, attempts to
ally the church and the State and
persue policy of intimtdation. coz
erslon and prescription of legislators
and public officers in furtheFance of
it's prohibition: propaganda and both
in its means and it's objects acts con-
trary to the spirit of American tnsti-
tutions of freedom and government,
and
Whereas, the prohibition organiza-
tions are still waging their war to
fasten upon the United States n con-
stitutional prohibition amendment
which would operate throughout the
United States as a curtailment of the
inherent rights and privileges OF the
people, to say. nothing. of its destruc-
tive and revolutionary enectsy upon
our system of government, and
Whereas, the prohibition organiza-
tions are seeking to force prohibition
upon the District of Columbia. including
WashinRton, the Capital of the United
States. and the endeavoring TO force
the same vicious system of laws which
have already failed in the smaller States
of the Union into the public policy of
the great communities of this country
which number more than half the people
Of the United States.
Therefore we emphatically reaffrm
and redeclare our unalterable opposition,
both as citizens of the State and of the
Union, and as members of the licensed
traffic, to the pretensiOns Of the pro-
hibitionistS."
Certain Brewers Criticised.
Following is the resolution condemn
ing certain hreweries:
Whereas the brewing interests, being,
to a great extent responsible for the
deplorable situation IN many respects
that have created condemnation and
public sentiment against the liquor
trade by their avaricious desire to fur
ther their financial interests in a more
extensive sale OF their goods.
Whereas. In numerous cases the
greed for distribution of brewing COM
mOdlties has caused competition in
trade which has brought 9pout many
OF tho circumstances In connections with
the liquor industry that has caused
criticism and complaint, particularly
IN connection with shipment and sale
in many places to numerous undaslr-
ablesj
whereas your committee feel that
the vast shipment of quantities of brew
Ing products into some States, such, as
Maine, whose borders are those of
license States. has been. the greatest
factor in keeping such States dry, Ow-
ing to the fact that bootleggeTs and other
illegal vampires who greatly profit by
their nefarious occupations, can be sup
piled with liquor in large quantities, by,
brewertes and wholesalers to help them
carry on their illegal occupations;
Resolved, That this association go
on record as heing opposed to any
brewing concern or company. who en-
courages by its action any condition OF
our business detrimental to any depart
ment of the trade that would encourage
opposition or antagonism to our bust
ness"
Other resolutions declare for the. in
herent rights of Americans to conduct a.
licensed liquor business and to con-
sumo liquor in moderation.
The convention, which. has been in
session since Tuesday, will adjourn this
afternoon after officers have been elect
ed. 1t is understood the, present Off
GERS will be elected.
A. number of Congressmen made ad-
dresses at the liquor dealers banquet
at the National Hotel last night.