The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-04
WARNS OF ANTI-DRY
y $2O,OOO,OOO FUND
William II. Anderson Says
Vets Plan to Get Big Sum
to. Fight Their Case.
PLEDGES BY HOTEL MEN
Bill for Prohibition Enforce
ment Department Is Ex-
pected at Albany.
Speciai De,pareh TO TIE srN.

ALBANY, March S.-Prohibition en-
torcement legislation was the chief topic
OF discussion among legislators tonight
and It is believed that when the Ju-
dietary Committees meet Wednesday
they will report favorably an amended
bill providing that the present Excise
Department shall be remouided into
Prohibition Enforcement Department.
William II. Anderson. superintendent
OF the Anti-Saloon League. declared that
those fighting prohibition apparently in
lend to get q fund or between SIC, 000,-
900 and s2o,0oo.o00 TO fight their case
basing his estimates on the fsct that
the hotel men of New York city have
pledged 8 per cent. OF their gross re-
ceipts from alcoholic beverage sales in
1918. and the upstate hotel men have
been asked to give 2 u per cent. of their
gross receipts from alcoholic drink sales.
This means a campaign fund of be-
tween ten and twenty million dollars in
New York State alone II the entire
liquor traffic puts up on this basis"
said MIR. Anderson. That fact when
understood will make 1t impossible for
any man who values his reputation to
take the back track on this question
after he has once voted for ratification
1T was brought out year ago that
the liquor sales OF a big New York ho-
tel were 100000 a year, which would
mako its individual contribution to the
fund $4,000 or more"
Letter in Question.
The letter Mr.. Anderson referred to
was on the letterhead of the Associa-
ton Opposed to National Prohibition
sS4 Fifth avenue. New York city. James
nod oh. oNrxxx - 49, -
Tie letter was signed by Paul B. Bodin
for committee designated as consisting
IF John NICE. Bowman. j. b. McAlpin.
r. A. Muschenheim, J. b. Regain and
Fred Sterry.
I'VE have well defined plan to con-
test prohibition in its various threaten.
ing phases" the letter said. adding that
their per cent. 'uncomplainingly'' and
asking for immediate action by up
State men in forwarding checks.
On top OF this development the New
York State Liquor Dealers Association
in session here to-day took an optimistic
view of the situation. and its leading
men said they expect a liberal interpre-
tation OF the term Intoxicating liquor"
and also believe that the Presidents war
emergency prohibition decree will be
rescinded as the Government needs the
sc barrel tax from beer. Their coun-
sci also advised them that the prohibi-
lion amendment Is unconstitutional be-
cause II takes the police power away
from the States,-which cannot be done
without the consent Of all, and New
Jersey, Rhode Island and Connecticut
have not yet approved 1t.
Call for Referendum.
The liquor dealers adopted a resolu-
ton calling for a referendum to the peo-
pie on the ratification of Federal prohi-
bition. and protesting against war time
prohibition decree.
1t became known to-day that Assem-
blyman Fearon OF Syracuse is to intro
duce bill defining liquor as anything
containing one-half OF per cent. of al
cohol and defining an intoxicating bever-
age as liquid containing anything more
than 8 per cent of alcohol.
With all the discussion going on, a
resolution was proposed in the Senate
calling upor the Judiciary Committee OF
The Senate and Assembly to make an
investigation to determine IL William II.
anderson was a paid agent of the Anti
Saloon League. and II SO why he had nct
registered as a lobbyist. The measure
went the Finance Committee. and 1t is
rot expected to be heard from again.
Mr.. Anderson issued statement to-
night declaring that the selection of Mr..
Gillett OF Massachusetts as Speaker OF
the House OF Representatives ''insures
against any attempt at notification Of
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