The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-16
BATTLE STARTS
ON PROHIBITION
Society Formed by Prominent
Men Not in Liquor Trade to
Combat Dry Laws.
TOBACCO MAN AT HEAD
To Protect Cigarettes, Chew
ing Gum or Cough Drops
If Menaced.
TOBACCO MAN AT HEAD

The Association Opposed to National
Prohibitions has opened national head
quarters in the Berkeley Building, 19
West Forty-fourth street. 1t will in
corporate Wednesday or Thursday at
Albany. Nobody connected with the
organization has any direct or indi-
rect interest in the liquor business.
The list of incorporators includes
among others Percival S. Hill, presi-
dent of the American Tobacco Com
pany; Joseph w. Hartman. president
of the Hartman National Bank;
Michael Friedsam. president of B. Alt
man & Co; Laurence MCGUIRE, presi-
dent OF the United States Realty and
Improvement Company; Arthur Cop
pell of the banking firm of Maitland,
Coppell & Co., and Cornelius J. Sulli-
van of the law firm of Nicoll, Anable.
Lindsay & Fuller.
The association already has ar
ranged to establish branches in twen-
ty-nine States in the East, middle
West. Northwest and far West, and
no person connected with these
branches will have any connection
with the liquor industry.
100000 Seeking Member.hip.
Thus far nearly 100000 applications
for membership have been received
These have come from every one of the
forty-eight States, from American citi-
zens In Europe and from the soldiers of
the American Expeditionary Forces.
The membership fee has been fixed at 81
and the dues at 81. No contributions
from any source will be accepted, how
ever, until the association has legal
and financial standing before the law
This will be the case the moment the
organization is incorporated under the
laws OF New York.
According to statement issued yes
terday from the national headquarters
| the prime object of the Association Op-
! posed to National Prohibitions will be
by every legal, honorable and reputable
means to make forever imperative the
eighteenth amendment to the Constitu-
ton or any other similar amendment
/ which attempts to ahridge or obl!terate
the rights OF free men In a free re-
public"
The association is opposed to all kinds
of prohibition whether OF sales of hard
liquor, with or without light wines and
beers, or the forbidding OF sales of
cigarettes, chewing gum or cough drops.
Aims Omcially Set Forth.
The purposes and aims OF the associa-
ton. as set forth in the certificate of in
corporation, are as follows:
81. To collect. distribute and dis
seminate information regarding the
political, social and economic effect
OF the prohibition OF the use OF al
coholic beverages.
'2. To promote temperance in the
use Of alcoholic beverages and to op-
pose any movement to limit or dis
continue the use of tobacco.
'3 BY letters. circulars. advertise
ments, literature and in all other
proper and lawful ways to discuss
the civil rights guaranteed under the
| Constitution Of the United States OF
America.
-. In all proper and lawful ways
TO influence public opinion, to the end
that the standards of personal liberty
or thought and conduct, which were
established by the founders Of the
Government of the United States of
America, shall be maintained and
safeguarded
THE association is not interested ir
any Federal or State law providing for
the enforcement OF the eighteenth
amendment" the official statement says
because 1t Intends by every legal ant
reputable force that It possesses or car
. ! create 70 make the enforcement Of tn,
: amendment impossible. There can be nc
compromise with principle.
Issue Is Clearly Deemed.
Therefore the issue is clean cut an,
clearly defined between the Association
Opposed to National Prohibitions and ar
unincorporated organization known al
the Anti-Saloon League The Associs
ton Opposed to National Prohibition,
will meet any pertinent prohibition is
sue that may be raised
The Association Opposed to Ma
tional Prohibitions therefore is a,
strongly opposed to any bill introduced
in the Congress OF the United States ol
in the Legislatures OF the several states
providing for the sale OF light wine ant
beer and excluding the sale of all othel
alleged intoxicating beverages as It 1!
, opposed to any bill providing for tn,
, sale of whskey and other so-calleC
hard liquors and excluding the sale o.
light wines and beers. 1t is as stronRl,
: opposed TO prohibition by constitutional
amendment, OF the manufacture and sal,
: of cigarettes or chewing gum or cougl
: drops as II IL opposed TO prohibition
! by constitutional amendment, OF th,
Z manufacture and sale of so-called intox
l icatng beverages.
THE Association Opposed to Nationa
? Prohibitions insists that the persona
rights and liberties, hitherto insured
4 and safeguarded by the Constitution O
the United States. must and shall h
preserved The associst1on has n
quarrel with the people of any Stat
Ia the Union or any Territory u. d,.
, pendency of the United States, who hav
the opportunity by popular vote at an
election legally called for the purpose 4