New-York tribune., 1919-07-05
Thorough s'Cleaning Up" of
Wet Terrain To Be Done
by Prosecutors, Aided by
Volunteer Investigators
AndersonAnnounces Plan
State Excise Officials Take
Hostile Stand Against
Effortto Avoid PayingFees

0fiicial prosecutors and volunteer
fees of the Demon Rum yesterday
joined hands to make the already hard
lot Of the saloonkeeper an even more
unpleasant one.
While promises Of legal assaults
upon the sellers of beverages contain
ing even the ridiculed 2.75 per cent Of
alcohol came from all sides during the
day, representatives of the Anti-Saloon
League permitted it to become known
that an my of evidence collectors
was being nidly organized for the
campaign to amp down the lid even
more securely.
Anderson Changes His Mind
Moreover, William II. Anderson. head
cf the New York State Anti-Saloon
League, announced that plans for fresh
legislation were being rushed through
lor presentation to the Legislature at
the earliest opportunity. Although the
league once announced that it would
permit the liquor traffic to furnish the
law enforcement material that would
result in closing up all saloons through
the force of public opinion, Mr.. Ander-
son now indicates a desire to take a
more active par: in the battle
Probably the only cheering feature
OF the day for the saloon men was the
increase of businss sss-largely in soft
drinks. however-ldue to the hot
weather. Business among carly holi-
day pleasure seekers Thursday night
and yesterday morning was almost as
great as on any previous Sd and Ath
CT July. OF course, the saloon men
explained. the prices of soft drinks are
nothing like those on the beverages
that contain kick. and the profits are
less. But so far as the days cash re-
ceipts are concerned they had little Of
which to complain.
League Not to "Let Up"
Mr.. Anderson's promise OF action
against the liquor dealers was con
tanned in this statement, issued just
as the prohibition leader was leaving
Cor vacation
"The statement that the Anti Saloon
League Isl going to allow the liquor
traffic to furnish law enforcement ma
terial and make sentiment in favor Of
the league is letting up.
"While the legislative department of
the Anti-Saloon League is busy with
reference to the next Assembly aid the
law enforcement department is ,nanu-
featuring munitions and weapons. the
organization department is working
overtime organizing divisions OF the
Allied Citizens There are already
, more calls for assistance OF the state
organizers in the various communities
than they can take care Of. or than
can be taken care cf Immediately by
any staff that present funds permit
The financial department of the
league is busy raising funds to push
the organization work. The league is
gratiiied by the fact that the subscrip-
tions at church services and in small
amounts in May and June were By far
the greatest in the history Of the
League. These subscriptions at churches
and in small amounts have almost
doubled the same months last year, in
dicatirg the widespread ard intense
interest on the part of the public"
Excise Officials Firm
Discouragng news for the saloon
men also was forthcoming from TIE
Offices OF the State Excise Department.,
following the unofficial statement .cf
leaders of the liquor interests tina.
they would continue doing business i.
2.75 per cent drinks without the pay