New-York tribune., 1920-03-05
Rev. W. HI. Freeman, For.
mer Dry Speaker, As
serts Prohibition Used
as Cloak to Other Ends
Ds1r -.
Bill to Legalize
2.75 Beer Offered
Anderson Dares Smith
to Debate and Promises
to Bare Oath Violation
From a star Co,,eseonasrt

cIO5W y 0tOU CoTTe0Qo106UE
ALBANY, March Develop
ments in the reaction against prohi-
bition as evidenced here to-day in
clude:
The appearance hero, ready to tes-
tify in the Assembly's investigation
Of the Anti-Saloon League, of the
Rev. William H. Freeman, pastor of
the Presbyterian Church in Carlisle,
Schoharie County, who promises to
be the star witness in the legislative
effort to prove that the leagues ac-
tivities are conducted improperly;
The introduction by Senator
Walker of a bill legalizing the man.
ufacture and sale of 2.75 per cent
beer, which seems to have every
prospect Of passage;
The issuance by William H. An
derson, state superintendent of the
Anti-Saloon League, of challenge
to debate Governor Smith in five
cities of the state on the subject of
prohibition.
The Rev. Mr.. Freeman withdrew
from the Anti-Saloon League as an
active worker after attending a two
days conference Of officers of the
league last December.
Not Agency of Churches
He says the league was not. as
claimed by William H. Anderson and
other officers of the organization, an
agency of the churches.
He accuses the league Of misleading
congregations to the extent of instruct
ing speaker when addressing Meth
odist audience to say his 'dear old
mother died Methodist" though the
speaker might be Presbyterian.
This and other methods which he
capture religious audiences by league
speakers, who made an "adroit study
of human frailty," he said.
Mr.. Freeman, who before being or
oa'ned practiced law in Manhattan and
Yonkers for eight years, said that the
strongest evidence he has against the
league is documentary.
Document Made Public
In statement the clergyman made
public a copy Of a document issued by
the Anti-Saloon League instructing it's
field workers on how to make a speech
at Sunday services. These speeches
were to be divided into four parts. as
follows:
1. Cancellation.
2. Information.
3. Inflammation.
1. Conservation.
This last, which was devoted to in
ducing the congregation to contribute
them to enroll for the fight, was re-
ferred to by Mr.. Freeman as "coinse-
Grafton"
In the first part Of their speech.
which was limited to five minutes, the
ntisaloon speakers were instructed to
convince their Sunday audiences that
they were interested in their welfare,
ano that the work of the league was in
harmony with the spirit of Christ. The
second part WAS limited to fifteen min
utes. In this period the speakers were
to familiarize the churchgoers with the
leagues campaign. Under the head Of
Inflammation" the speakers were told
to confine themselves to seven minutes,
in which they were expected TO picture
the liquor traffic so as 20 arouse the
:
The speakers were warned not to
paint their pictures "too black" as
the reality was too well known. The
last portion of the speech wa3 to last
not more than ten minutes.
Wrote to Cuviliicr
Mr.. Fpeeman wrote TO Assembiyrian
Cuvillier before the resolution calling
for an investigation of the league, with
a view 20 prosecuting criminally its
had been adopted by the AS
sembl6 The resolution was adopted
Monday night. That same day Mr..
Freeman wrote a letter to Mr.. Cuvil-
lier in which he said he possessed
many interesting facts concerning the
league, especially with respect to les
sources Of income and the method Of
collecting money" The letter follows.
II am very much interested in your
investigation by the Assembly
Judiciary Committee Of the activities
and methods of the New York State
Anti-Saloon League. For short time
league l attended last December a
two days private conference Of the
league at its main Offices in New York
City.
at was a conference of the leagues
entire state force. ] withdrew from its
service much against the wish of the
officers Of the capitol district to which
was allied. | am in possession of
many interesting facts, especially with
respect 70 the leagues methods OF col
lecting moneys and with respect to the
sources of collections.
these methods are both adroit and
sinister, cleverly and cautiously kept
from the churches from which it de.
rives its asserted agency. Its Subtle
aim is money-money with which TO
domineer in governmental construc-
ton. Its interest in prohibition Is but
a means to government and privats
conduct by coercion.
No Fear Of Anderson
81 have often felt that | may say .
warning word about this institution.
but where to say it and when to say
it seemed an insurmountable problem
Ito me. shall be glad to submit to you
in careful detail in writing what I
know Of the league. In giving you this
information I ara we'll aware that it