Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-09-26

Neil Bonner. National President, Tells
State Liquor Men Propaganda
is Losing Out
DENOrNCES CABARET FEATURE
Urges Passage of Resolutions Strong
Iy Condemning Innovation of
Recent Years.

Neil Bonner, president of the ma
tional association of liquor dealers,
brought a message of cheer from that
organization to the Illinois associa-
ton which he delivered this morning
at Turner hall. Like President kunde
of the state organization, he predicted
that the dry propaganda has spent its
force and from now on there will be
a gradual return to license and regu-
Iation as the best solution of the liquor
question.
Mr.. Bonner congratulated the deal
ers upon the arrangements made FOR
the entertainment of their guests from
all over the state, and referring to the
fact that it would do good if some of
the saloon opponents were present in
this beautiful city of Rock Island and
witness the gentlemanly actions and
conduct of the men from the liquor
circles, who were here as delegates,
he further dweIt upon the fact that in
many thousands of miles of travel life
it had rarely been his pleasure to have
visited a more beautiful city of the
smaller class He stated that it was
evident that the municipal authorities
and citizenship of Rock Island were in
complete harmony, as the up-to-date
buildings, beautiful in architectural
design, and the many merchant
stores of a great variety. all beauti-
fully lighted in an up-to-date manner,
were evidence. also, of prosperity.
Mr.. Bonner spoke in glowing terms
of the home trait of character display
ed by the delegates in the fast that
over 100 of the delegates from out OF
town were accompanied TO this con-
haf "a
The ladies of the party being so num-
erous, it was also noted, were keenly
alive to all that was taking place
about them and appeared to derive
great pleasure from their visit.
FaIIacies Being Recognized.
Referring to the general liquor sit
uation, Mr.. Bonner stated that II
ought to be observable to even prohi-
biti0nists who have been misled by
many fallacies heretofore, that the year
1916 is Witnessing a receding OF the
dry wave in this country, and that
while the people can be fooled part of
the time, as the lamented Abraham
Lincoln said, they cannot be fooled all
the time Signs Of the times in revolt
from the dry hobby of the past has
been, first, the defeat in conservative
Vermont by a two to one vote OF the
people of the proposition to put that
state under prohibition law; second,
the defeat in Alabama for a return 10
congress of. that windy prohibition
leader and misquOter of facts, kissing
bug HObson;" third, the defeat in the
state of Nebraska of that latter day,
tidal wave prohibition leader, Mir.
Bryan, in his candidacy for delegate
to the national convention of the dem
ocratic party; fourth, the national con-
Ventions of all political parties in this
country refusing this year to incOr-
pOrate prohibition planks in their plat
forms or to even seriously consider
the dry idea"
Fight for Leadership.
Mr. Bonner referred to the fact that
a large number of the leading newspa-
pers all over the country were now
referring to the loss of prestige by the
dry leaders, and have frequently stat
ed that the movement now appears to
be a fight to the death between certain
leaders who have become known as
orators with a national wide reputa-
ton, more to keep their positions with
a large salary attached than TO prove
q sincerity in the views they preach
to the public.
MIR. Bonner spoke upon many of the
conditions in trade circles and advised
how to improve conditions from his
knowledge of business in various parts
of the country and particularly spoke
in bitter terms against a continuance
of what is known as the cabaret"
feature which has within the past three
years Crept into business life. He
earnestly appealed to the delegates to
pass resolutions strongly condemning
the continuance of what he termed
this parasite in the liquor circles He
also appealed to them to encourage
the idea among all the dealers of a
strict observance of municipal and
state laws, also particularly referred
to the small number of dealers
throughout the state who, in their
greed for the many nickels which go
TO make up the almighty dollar. were
continuing to bring discredit upon the
trade in general, by their sales to mi
nOrs, persons of known Incorporate
habits, etc. While this class of retail
liquor dealers do not amount in num-
bers greater than three per cent, yet
they are sufficient to cause distress not
only in trade circles but to the citi-
zenship at large.
Mr. Bonner's address was given
close attention by all of those present
and he was given very cordial ap-
plause.
duct a legitimate business. Those
who remain soon learn that the de-
mand has not been voted away and