The sun., 1917-07-03
|ANTT-SALOON MEN
WELCOME INQUIRY
Deny Charges and Assert
Latter Are Inspired by
Liquor Interests.
SUBSCRIPTION LIST OPEN
Assistant Superintendent Keen
Makes Categorical Re-
ply to Foes.

II Congress decides to have an investi-
cation Of the Ahti-Saloon League Of
America the investigating committee will
have the complete cooperation Of the
leagues officers. who have categorically
denied the charges made against them
and have asserted that the news from
Washington comes indirectly from the
liquor crowd in an attempt TO hart
the prohibition movement
I'VE welcome an investigation OF all
our work In all its branches" said Cyrus
p. Keen, Assistant Superintendent Of the
New York State branch OF the Anti
Saloon LeaRue. yesterday. "A complete
review will show that none Of the condi-
tIons which are said to exist are true.
ANY friend OF the organisation may
even see our complete subscription lists
to determine where the money comes
from A number Of years ago there
was an Investigation of the league here
by the District Attorneys ONCE, and II
gave us a clean bill OF health. . There
can be no other outcome In the present
instance"
Answers sik Charges.
Mr.. Keen answered the six charges
made against the Anti-Saloon League,
saying that much the same matter which
was printed In Washington dispatches
Sunday and yesterday was duplication
OF stories in various papers and maga-
zines controlled by the liquor interess-
Mr.. Keen's replies were as follows:
First-The leagues sincerity and
advocacy Of straight out prohibition
Ia proved by the fact that this country
II now 90 per cent. dry, territorially.
The league is not controlled by men OF
high salaries because probably not
more than five men In the entire or
ganiEation receive salaries OF $4,000
or more. The leaders are mostly min
listers and physicians who have left
higher paid positions to enter sAe
work.
second-Standard OIL influence and
opposition to labor charges are abb
surd no Rockefeller was ever an Of
fcer or on a controlling board
Third-The league has representa-
tives at every State Legislature and
at Washington. II places the records
of all public men before the voters.
and then allows the back home in
fiuence'' TO exert itself
Fourth-A boycott has never been
Instituted by the league, but such
tactics are used by the liquor interests.
Mr.. Keen charged.
Fffth-The league never faxed
petition to any political body: COM
plete Investigation Is invited.
Sixth-No binding secret pledges"
with Congressman are used by the
league. II asks all prospective candi-
dates for State Legislatures how they
stand on certain questions some an
swer and some don't The leagut puts
the information before the voters Of
the district.
Received Expenses Only.
Mr.. Keen said that two Of the men
working for the league In Washington.
who evidently are those referred to as
drawing salaries three times az large
as members Of Congress- did not re-
ceive any money from the league besides
their actual expenses.
The New York branch. he said, was
financed largely through church collec-
tions throughout the State. Thirty-three
men are now making weekly appeals in
pulpits OF various denominations. Last
year the total receipts in the State
amounted to tl05,000, mostly in plate
collections and small subscriptions.
The realm OF the work OF the Anti
Saloon League OF America Is in State
Legislatures and the national capital"
said Mr.. Keen. I'VE seek to obtain dry
legislation Just as far as public opinion
demands II, and no further. For that
reason 1t has been only short time that
we have been working to obtain national
prohibition by Federal law.
The churches and the temperance So
cieties are out to help influence the pub
lie toward prohibition. and then we act
as a clearing house to get the actual
results"