The American issue. [volume] (Westerville, Ohio) 1912-19??, 1917-12-21

sdlu lHt otHdtOI, nOl liltltly IdliiilS
to help the government, but actually
instruments for the destruction of the
American people"
Illinois Sends Many Delegates
Every afternoon and evening ses-
sion of the convention was attended
by a crowd which completely filled
the large auditorium of the Metropoli-
tan M. f. Church. On the second
evening it was necessary to provide
for an overflow meeting which filled
the Presbyterian Church nearby. The
largest delegation from any state, OK
cepting those within short distance
of Washington, came from Illinois.
About ono hundred from Illinois were
there. At the Workers Conference
preceding the convention the number
number from any other state, there
being Is OF the Anti-Saloon League
force in attendance. The interest
shown by the delegates from Illinois
is an indication that this state will do
her part in the fight to ratify The ma
tional Prohibition amendment
The Business Mems Meeting
One of the most interesting and
nnpUrtasfy meetings al tue eoiiyeirfon
was the conference of manufacturers
and business men held at the Belasco
Theatre This meeting was called by
Sebastian s. Krcsge OF Detroit. Many
representatives of great business con-
Germs from various parts of the coun-
try were present. The program in
charge of Mr.. Kresge represented the
trial of John Barleycorn.
United States Senators, Representa-
tives, Governors and ex-Governors of
various states, bankers, manufacturers
and others were called upon to relate
the results of Prohibition in their
home cities and states.
The first witness was Senator
Smoot of Utah, who testified that the
closing of saloons i'll his state was
already greatly benehtng the people.
Miners who formerly opposed Prohi
bition are now very much in favor OF
it and the people generally are we'll
satisfied with Prohibition.
Prohibition Helps Farmers
Ex-Governor Harris of Georgia told
of the fight to drive John Barleycorn
from his state and of the good results
that followed. The witness stated that
bank deposits in his state have dou
bled in number and in amount. The
witness also testified that the great
crop raised by Georgia this year
could not have been planted, culti
waited and harvested had it not been
for Prohibition.
Senator Jones of Washington stated
that the best evidence of the effects
and fruits of Prohibition in his state
is its approval by the people. He
said that jailers and poorhouse keep
ers were the only ones thrown out of
work by Prohibition.
"Grocers report that sales have in
creased amazingly. Clothing and shoe
stores report a greatly increased sale
to ordinary, average people" "Prohi-
bition," said the Senator, "has brought
about great change in the lumber
mills and other industries. The change
is especially apparent on Mondays.
Now the workmen can be depended
upon to be present.
The good effect of Prohibition in
West Virginia was testified to by
Senator Mac Aboy of that state. He
said that after three years experience,
the vote for Prohibition would be at
least doubled. One year after Prohi-
bition went into effect, the lax rate
was reduced one per cent. The states
former big deficit is now made up
and there is a 100000 surplus.
"The Oil and Gas interests of West
Virginia" said the Senator, "say that
they could not afford to have the state
go wet again"
Tourists Prefer Dry State
Senator Shafroth of Colorado pre-
sented figures showing the greatly de-
creased number of arrests for drunk
enness and the great increase in bank
deposits since the state went dry. Be-