The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-10

Of the Southern or Western papers
seemed to be fearful that they would
be muxxled by the law.
After Mr.. Clague had finished read
ing the vario s. editorials. he made a
slighting remark concerning the fact
that the men who had spoken favor
ing the legislation were paid for their
work, and also in reply to a question
from Congressman Blackmon. Of
Alabama. stated that he did not be-
lieve that there had been any increase
in drinking among women.
DIR. Cannon Speaks.
Congressman Holland, of the Sec
ond Virginia district, then introduced
DR.. Cannon, chairman of the national
legislative committee of the Anti-Sa-
loon league, stating that DR.. Cannon
was obliged to leave the city that day
and he would like for him to be heard
before he left. Dr.. Cannon stated
that he did not expect to speak more
than ten or fifteen minutes. but the
committee became greatly Interested
in the discussion, and asked so many
questions that more than an hour
was consumed before the committee
adjourned
In beginning his remarks. Or. Can
non stated that he appeared before
the committee as chairman of the
national legislative committee of the
Anti-Saloon League of America. which
is working in practically every state
OF this Union, and which Is perhaps
the most effective organization in the
country in the fght against the liquor
traffic. He stated that he presented
more specifically the Anti-Saloon
Iao IT, ~. u@o and
that ne thought that he represented
more specifically still more than two
million members of the Methodist
Episcopal church. South. which great
church In It's annual and general con-
ferences had expressed itself in no
uncertain terms concerning the liquor
traffic.
Proper To Pay Workers.
DR.. cannon stated that there were
one or two minor matters to which ne
would call attention before entering
into the discussion of the purpose of
the bill. He said that Mr.. Clague In
his closing remarks had said. in
rather a sighting way that the pro-
hibition workers were paid to come
before the committee. DR.. Cannon
declared. While | do not think II is
improper t. be paid, yet for myself
! wish to say that l have been in this
work for fifteen years. and have been
superintendent OF the Anti-Saloon
League Of Virginia for many years.
and ] have never yet received a dol
tar OF personal eemPensat ton fer IA y
work In connection with this cause.
But nevertheless | believe that when
great denomination Hike the Metho-
dist or Presbyterian church. for eN-
ample, determines that they have suf-
4ain "a oct h lfGy, ptrSt /
tee and to call man out from the
regular work. and tell him to give his
time to nghting this traffic. and thai
man subjects himself to the abuse and
the persecution and the Inconvenience
that comes from it. that church has a
right to say to that man, We will give
you an adequate salary 20 support
YOU and any slur OF that kind upon
the men who are giving their lives to
this kind of work is out of place here.
states Not Afraid.
Secondly. ! cannot agree with the
statement made here that the prohi-
bition workers IN the states are afraid
TO pass legislation In the states and
legislation TO take care OF their state
conditions, As Mt. Holland from
Virginia. we'll knows. we went Just
about far as we could in Virginia
on this advertising question. and no
pape in Virginia is allowed to pub
lish a liquor advertisement and no
circulars can be distributed. and no
posters or plcards can be exhibited
in public places. We are not here
asking this committee to do some.
thing that we are afraid to do in tho
state. We are asking the committee
TO do something which the st~tes can
not do
Increase Among Women Appalling.
And cannot agree with the
gentleman from Ala hama. Mr.. Black
mon. in reference 20 women I have
been president Of = college FOR girls
for over twenty years. and have Oh
served and studied women very close.
" on that account | have treouensed
hotels and restaurants in Virginia and
elsewhere for the last thirty wears. and
must say without hesitation that al
though Virginia Is one OF the most
conservative states in this Union, and
the women have been less affected
there than almost anywhere else. the
increase OF the drinking by women in
hotels and restaurants even in Nir-
ginia was appalling unjti the legisla-
ture Of Virginia passed law which
practically forbade the serving OF
was a student al Princeton thirty
years ago. and went frequently to
New York and Philadelphia &nd other
cities and observed conditions then in
those places and have obs erved CON
ditions very carefully in recent years
and the increase In the number OF NO
men who drink Intoxicating liquor
in public places IL. In my Judgment
appalling
Il say just as Mr.. Biackmon said
a few minutes ago. that II II had not
been Tor the women. the mothers and
wives OF this nation. this reform
would never have gone as far as 1t has
gone. The men OF. the country are in
this reform In many cases because OF
their mothers and their wives. ! ans
here today myself because of the work
of my mother. who wore as her only
piece of jewelry. IL 1t could De SO
called, the little gold white ribbon pin
of the W. c. T. L. The women of the
nation are great power for tenn
perance and prohibition But. gentle
men. we cannot blink the fact that in
the centers of population in our towns
and cities and summer resorts drink
ing among women has greatly in
creased. and as you go into hotels and
restaurants and observe conditions ms
they exist today, you know that what
| sayNis true.
Another question: 1t has been OBJ
jected that this bill would entail the