The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-07
Exhibits Down in Dixie
by Edith M. wills in thc NationaI Daily

miss Wills Is in charge OF scien-
|tific temperance exhibits made up by
the Anti-Saloon League and using
material of the Scientific Temperance
Federation. She now has her exhibits
in South Carolina. Most of the
Southern states will be visited.-Ed.)
The Southern Sociological Con-
gress, probably representing the big
gest movement of the South, has or
ganized a great health and social well
fare exposition which 1t is taking this
winter to all the leading Southern
cities. Important government, health.
social, Insurance and other exhibits
said to be valued at not less than
$4,000 have been brought together
for this impressive object lesson for
health, welfare and sobriety.
One of the several fundamental
principles of the Southern Sociology
cal Congress Is to work for the rec
ognition of the relation of alcoholism
to disease. to crime, to poverty, to
vice. for the adoption of appropriate
preventive measures" For some
time the management Of the congress
had been DESTROYS of adding to this
exposition the lectures and exhibits
of the Anti-Saloon League. churches
and other organizations which have
been on the Pacific coast, as 1t was
believed such combination would
add greatly to the efficiency and use
fulness Of each.
Hence our exhibits made the jour
ney of $500 miles from California to
Richmond, Va, where. in the splen-
did great Gray's Armory, the ex-
hibits were united composing the
finest and most extensive social ser
vice exposition ever brought together
/ in America.
1t was formerly opened October 81.
but the interest was so great that
although but one weeks stay at Rich
mond had been planned, arrange
ments were made to continue it
through November /. which ena bled
us to participate in the rejoicings
which ushered the Old Dominion into
the sisterhood of prohibition States.
1t was appropriate that the Anti
Saloon League exhibit should be there
at the time because 1t had had a
large and honorable part in Great
ing the sentiment which made the
State dry.
For twelve hours daily except Sun
days when the exhibit was open but
three hours. the visitors. some 5000
In all, came to study the facts IL
| Illustrated. Practically all of these
saw our alcohol exhibit. There were
many influential leaders OF thought
OF both races, teachers, medical and
divinity students. nurses. as well as
an uncommonly large number of per
sons from the humber walks of life
who would be greatly helped by the
exhibits.
Besides the usual demonstrations
and consultations in connection with
the exhibits, there were fifteen lee
lures in the booth. number of which
were advertised and were well at
tended.
The demonstrator in such a place is
expected to be a walking encyclo-
paedia of useful information, and
many are the curious, sad and hope
less cases where help is sought. The
mother, widowed by drink. two of
whose three children have gone into
drink or insanity the minister. nine
tenths of whose special eases" were
due to drink, the down and out from
a good sober family. who came for in
formation and counsel, are only typi-
! cal OF hundreds of such opportunities
which the alcohol exhibits demonstra-
tor has for helpfulness in hand-to
/ hand work.
| Secretaries of clubs and shop meet
/ ings came for plans and suggestions,
ministers secured material for SER
mons. teachers and college professors
were acquainted with posters and
other educational material
! Anti-alcohol literature was eagerly
taken so that the supply in hand was
exhausted in three days.