New-York tribune., 1919-03-28
Anti Tobacco
Drive TO Meet
Quick Battle
Continued from page !

that. But this is a fact which ap-
parently makes absolutely no differ
ence to the supporters of these anti
saloon and anti-cigarette movements.
Not Moral Question
"The question, in essence, is not a
moral one at all. Nobody approves Of
drunkenness. Nobody approves of the
use Of anything to excess. But in
this country we do approve Of free
dom. Some people did not understand
quite what we meant in this associa-
tion when we first declared that what
we were standing for was not so much
alcohol or tobacco as it was the prin-
ciple for which this country was
founded. Now, however, in the face
of this anti tobacco crusade, there no
longer can be any Misunderstanding
"If these people, will not call them
fanatics, will not characterize them
at all, I will simply call them people,
and let it go at that-if these people
can cut off beer and tobacco, why not
buttermlk or coffee, or tea, both Of
taken to excess, exert q deleterious cf-
feet upon the consumers? And if but
termilk, coffee and tea, why not some
thing clse-anything else-who can
say what?
Real Question at Issue
That is the real question before
this country to-day-not liquor, not to-
bacco, not any single item of daily use,
but the right of freedom and liberty
which the Constitution was drafted to
safeguard. Shall that be preserved, or
shall we reverse absolutely the spirit
which our fathers fought to implant
and pcrpetuatc here? That is the
question before the American people
to day; and am glad that it has thus
presented itself through the medium Of
tobacco in order that people may moro
clearly realize it's intrinsic naturc.'
Within the last two weeks, Mr.
Scavcy added, more than 100000 letters
have come in to the headquarters of
the Association Opposed to National
Prohibltlon, expressing sympathy witl,
the work being undertaken there, and
offering voluntary contributions Of
field work or any other service that
may be of use.
In the discussions Of tho anti-tobacco
crusade which sprang up throughout
the city Yesterday it was frequently
suggested that the Anti~Saloon Ieap,uc
was backing the new movement This,
however. was denied by William II. An
edrson, superintendent of the league.
Anderson Not Backing Move
After announcing that he would
shortly have statement ready ex-
pressing. the attitude of his organiza-
ton IN full in this matter. he said:
For the present, suffice it to saw that
the Antl-Saloon League has absolutely
nothing to do with any Of these move
ments, and has never contemplated any
actlVity against tobacco, and Will not on
gage in any anti-tobacco movements
That IS all very we'll" opponents Of
inc antl-tobacco movement said when
the statement was shown them. "but
wait and see if most of the speakers
VINO used to agitate in favor of the
A5nti-Saloon League are not shortly
cigarctte.'
The tobacco interests themselves ar
least so far as the New York dealers
are concerned, are as yet doing nothing
actlVe IN the matter. Recently. accord
ing to Arthur S. Meyer, vice president
or the Schultz chain stores. one of the
TOBACCO trade papers urgently called
the attention of dealers to the cam.
palgn that is getting under way.
Letting Matters Rest
We felt though" said Mr.. Mover
last night. that at this stage we can
afford to let matters take their normal
course. The war has, think. nrottv
we'll undermined whatever prejudice
tnere used to be against tobacco. The
! III. (. A., for instance, used to have
NO SMOKING signs in its establish
menus Since the war, however, the
J. M. Z. A. has been one of our busiest
distrinutors OF tobacco. You see. thev
dlscovered how the people actually felt
IN the matter and came to see that
there really wasn't anything SO inioui
tous about smoking after all
And that, think. is typical of the
genera attitude. There is even a
little drawing back of public sympathy
and support for the liquor prohibition
movement, | think. People are begin
ming to realize that what is really at
stake here is something larger than the
sPeclhc commodity attacked in any
given instance. They are beginning to
realize that 1T is the liberty and spirit
of the United States OF America that is
beng assailed. For the present
think we tobacco dealers can, in view
of this newly awakened realization. let
such organizations as the Association
Opposed to National Prohibitions take
care of the situation"