New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-01-29
PuIpits of All Religions in
State Ring with Pro-
hibitiOn Pleas
RUM is RACE POISON,
RABBI WISE SAYS
Bids Jews Urge Cause of
Temperance-Y. M. c. A.
Told of Alcohol Peril

For the first time in the history OF
New York, churches representing every
important religious denomination in
the state joined yesterday in af'con-
certed discussion" which was. in ef-
feet, an attack on the sale Of intoxi-
eating liquor. 1t is estimated that in
more than three thousand churches
from Rochester to Manhattan prohibit
ton was advocated in either partial or
complete form.
The call for the discussion was sent
out two weeks ago to every clergyman
in the state. II bore the signatures
Of more than three hundred preachers
in New York City and vicinity, among
whom appeared the names Of many
Catholics, Jews and Episcopalians.
Forty nationalities and ten languages
were represented.
Started by the Anti-Saloon League,
the movement had the support, it was
declared, of every temperance organ
,ization in the state. It's direct pur-
pose was to arouse support Cor two
measures now before tho Assembly.
Ono of these is constitutional amend
ment barring the sale of intoxicants;
the other a bill which would give q
petition form Of local option TO small
towns and individual wards OF the
largest cities.
Free Synagogue Meeting
Among the more important meetings
in the city was that at the Free Syna-
gogue, at Carnegie Hall, where Rabbi
Stephen S. Wise discussed the drink
evil from the standpoint OF the Jew.
This standpoint, he declared, was not
and could not be peculiar 70 the Jews.
at is an American problem, and the
attitude Of the Jew must be the Amer
lean attitude" said Rabbi Wise. AL
cohol must 60. 1t is a blessing only
for the idle rich-for the extinction OF
their kind and as a means TO make
their perpetuation impossible. Rum ~
a race poison. It poisons generations;
il poisons the child before II IS born.
Industrial efficiency. domestic happi-
ness, national security all are lncom-
patible with that demon alcohol
"The Jew has been temperate, but he
has been cold to prohibition. The ten
der and precious memories which VINE
PLAYS in the religious life in his home
and synagogue account for this passive
attitude. But no fundamental rights OF
life and liberty are endangered by pro.
hibition. and the Jewish attitude must
become one of active opposition to al
cohol. Always a moral pioneer, the
Jew must not in this case be a moral
laggard. Not to prohibit the use of
liquor is to sanction it."
At the Central branch of the Brook
lvn Y. N. c. 4. Wayne B. Wheeler, gem
eral counsel for the Anti-Saloon League
Of America, who led the legal fight
which resulted in the recent Supreme
Court decision on the Webb-Kenyon
bill, explained the significance Of this
decision.
"The most conservative agency in
American government decided" said
Dir. Wheeler, that the people OF a
given community have the inherent
right to better their condition without
outside interference. and therefore held
that alcohol could not be shipped into
q state where the people Of that state
opposed such shipment. IL held, sec
ond. that the health and morals OF
people are essential TO the life of
government, and recognized that alco-
hol was, therefore, an enemy TO the
government. The third point was the
most startling Of all. The court de
clared that there we're no constitutional
guarantees which applied to the liquor
business. In other words, the liquor
business had no right to exist at all,
and II il did exist 1t was through
privilege. which could be withdrawn by
the people at any time.
"The decision was the worst blow
the liquor devil has ever received IN
the United States in all the history OF
our fight against him"
OF yesterdays statewide discussion
Mr.. Wheeler, pointing the wide range
of support which it had, declared;
"When you get all these people talk
ing against alcohol, the gates Of he'll
or even Of New York, Cincinnati and
Baltimore shall not prevail against IT,"