The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-01-16
FACE A BIC ROW
Temperance Organizations Of
State Are at Dagger Points.
Open Break Is Liable to Come
at Amy Time Now.
K. S. 7. U. IN SESSION TODAY
Members Not in Harmony With
Anti-SaIOOn League.
Stahl Would DiSband Union
Rather Than Fight.
K. S. 7. U. IN SESSION TODa

Whether the Kansas State Temper
ance union shall dissolve and pass its
$4,000 worth of assets and its fifty
year old organization into the hands
of the one month old Kansas branch
of the Anti-Saloon league will be de-
cided at tomorrow afternoons session
of the Kansas State Temperance Union
convention. Should the delegates re-
fuse to consider the proposition there
may be war between the two rival
dry organizations competing with
each others efforts toward more pro-
hibition. At the opening meeting of
the convention this afternoon a COM
mittee will be appointed to confer to-
morrow morning with committee
from the other Lawrence organiZa-
tom and the result of the conference
will be voted on by the trustees of the
X. S. T. u, tomorrow afternoon.
There is not room for two societies
in Kansas" Frank M. Stahl, superin-
tendent of the K. S. T. L., says, 1--WE
must merge. There must be no row.
The brewers would give a million dol
lars to have such a condition of af-
fairs.
Rather than permit such a state of
affairs, | would resign my connection
with the society and be in favor of
surrendering it's position and assets to
the newcomer"
Others Would Fight.
Such a submissive attitude is not
shown by many of the trustees of the
union. They are indignant with the
newly formed branch of the anti-sa-
loon league. For years, they claim.
the K S. T. U. has been the official
Kansas branch of the anti-saloon
league and has co-operated with it.
The intrusion of another organization
is unwarranted.
They assert that jealousy in the ma
tional headquarters led to their found
ing of a rival organization in Law
Moore, of Westerville, O., assistant
superintendent of the anti-saloon
league of America is said to have stat
ed, kansas has done nothing at all
for national prohibition"
Stahl asserts that kansas has done
more than any state in the union for
the accomplishment of national pro-
hibition."
Many trustees of the union are re-
ported to be indignant over the in
trusion of another chapter of the
Anti-Saloon league while the K. S.
T. U. has been for years the accredit-
ed Kansas branch, retaining, however,
its original name. 1t is asserted that
the Anti-Saloon league takes no issue
on enforcement of prohibition laws,
stating that matter is entirely the
province of the elected officials
X. S. L. U. Law Enforcer.
4. The K S T. U. has during it's his
tory maintained a law enforcement
department which they claim is highly
responsible for the excellent enforce
ment and success of prohibition in
Kansas.
Other criticisms are made against
the rival organization by members of
the K. S. T. U. 1t is asserted that
two years ago the Anti-Saloon league
conducted a money-raising campaign
in Kansas, netting above $4,000, half
of which was to go to the K. S. T. U.
after the expenses of raising the mon
ey had been met. The Anti-Saloon
league reported to the K. S. T. u, an
officer of the latter asserts, that $29,-
600 of the amount raised was neces-
sary to pay the expenses of raising it.
Only about $1,000 of the pledges re-
ceived has been paid to the Kansas
organization, according to the report
of the superintendent.
At tonight's meeting at the Baptist
church an address will be made by ex-
Governor Hoch on kansas as a Fac
tor in National Prohibition" The
meeting is open to the public.