Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-22
BOYCOTT CHARGED
ATL|QuOR HEARING
Letter in Evidence Written by
Anti-SaIoon League Head
to Merchant.
APPEAL FOR A REFERENDUM

Charges that the Anti-Saloon League
of the District is resorting to boycot'
methods against local merchants VINO
! oppose the Sheppard bill for prohlpl-
| tion in WASHINGTON caused Il sensation
at the hearings on the bill which were
resumed this morning before the DIS
| trict committee of the House.
| A letter was introduced by Charles }.
! Columbus addressed to merchant
whose name was disclosed to the com
| mittee and signed by Andrew wilson,
president of the Anti-Saloon League
| which expressed regret at the active
i part the merchant had taken in favor
| of a referendum on the subject ana
advised him that there had been per-
sons present in the committee room at
the time of his testimony who 'felt
they could no longer patronize" him.
Letter Put in Evidence.
Mr.. Columbus, who represents the ref
erendum interests before the commit
tee. denounced the writing of this and
any similar letters an effort at in
timidation.
The president of the AntiSaloon
League SAYS TO Washington merchants
that they must subvert their views to
agree with those of his league or go
out of business" he said. Il want 10
ask the committee if they are of the
opinion that this effort at the hushing
| of evidence is fair. What the league
wants to do is to foist this legislation
upon the people of Washington regard
| less of whether they want 1t or not.
| Both wet and dry members OF the
committee during the meeting publicly
expressed the opinion that the writing
of the letter had been grave mistake
on the part of Mr.. Wilson.
81 think that the Anti-Saloon League
acted against its own interests" said
Representative Lloyd of Missouri. 1T
would seem that President Wilson of
the league made serious blunder.
Argues for Referendum.
William Mex. Clayton, representing
the Board of Trade of Washington, was
the first witness of the morning. His
testimony took the form of an appeal
for a referendum vote on the subject
under consideration. He told the COM
mittee that he firmly believed that resi-
dents of the District would vote for
prohibition, and demanded referen-
DUN in behalf of the organization
which he represented, Questioned by
the committee, he said that if refer
endum is granted, it should carry with
it franchise broad enough to cover
all classes of citizens in the District.
Members of the committee questioned
Mr.. Clayton as to the reasons why he
wanted a referendum vote on the sub
ject.
You say that you believe the Dis
trict should be dry" said Representa-
tive Mapes of Michigan. why not let
Congress make it dry"
That would only be means to an
end" replied the witness. And 1 am
not in favor of attaining even the most
plausible in the world in an un-'
lawful and unamerican way
Time to Grant Vote.
Mr.. Clayton urged that this was the
psychological time for granting the
vote to the District
The country is facing a great crisis
he said. you have never hesitated
to ask our support in times of stress
and we have never hesitated to give it.
You put the gun in the hand of the
resident of the District with which he
may fight for the flag. Why not put
| in his hand the vote with which he
may uphold that flag"
! Mr.. Clayton intimated that if the bill
/ becomes law without having the
question submitted to the people that
there will be considerable difficulty in
| enforcing it.