New-York tribune., 1920-03-03
Sweet Runnored
To Have Quit
Dry Allegiance
Adler Abandons Attempt to
Undo Vote for Inquiry
and Speaker Sets Time
for Investigation to Begin
From STAR correspo>dcnt

IRON stag Correspondent
ALBANY. March 2.-Speaker Thad-
deus c. Sweet and Majority Leader
Simon L. Adler announced to-day that
the investigation of the Anti-Saloon
League by the Assembly Judiciary
Committee would start soon after the
committee finishes with the trial of the
five ousted Socialists.
Last night, an hour after the resolu-
tion calling for the investigation Of
the league had been adopted by the
Assembly by vote Of 81 to 52, Speaker
Sweet suffered change of heart and
said he would have the resolution re-
scinded. He explained that in view Of
the fact the resolution carried with it
an appropriation, 76 votes were neces-
sary. But to-day he declared that the
resolution was properly passed and he
and Majority Leader Adler said there
would be no attempt made to undo the
vote.
Political Break Seen
The sanction given by Sweet and
the majority leader to the investigation
is believed here to indicate a severance
of the allegiance that the Speaker has
held for Anderson for some years past.
Apparently the Republican party,
which has hitherto enjoyed the quail
fed Endorsement Of the Anti-Saloon
League, now is prepared to turn against
that body and its superintendent and
dump both overheard.
For some time it has been known
thof Nf ho
OF the Legislature have been restive
under the domineering tactics adopted
by Anderson. Republican Endorsement
of the investigation Of the Anti-Saloon
League is regarded as virtual repu-
diation of those tactics and the man
who has used them.
Aimed at League Officials
The purpose of the investigation, as
set forth in the resolution, which was
introduced by Assemblyman Louis
Cuvllier, Democrat, of Manhattan, is
to try to find William H. Anderson and
other officers Of the Anti-Saloon League
guilty of criminal offenses which carry
one years imprisonment and $1,000
fine or both.
The Socialist trial, which will be
resumed tomorrow. will be out Of the
way within the next three weeks at the
outside.
The Judiciary Committee will have
the power to subpoena witnesses
books, documents, Mr.. Anderson and
other officers Of the league.
Assemblyman Cuvillier said to-day
he had just received letter from a
prominent upstate clergyman who left
the Anti-Saloon League in disgust be
cause it was not using the money con-
tributed to it for the purpose for which
it was given.
The clergyman, whose name Cuvillier
would not reveal, wrote that he soon
would be on his way to Albany with
charge. Cuvillier said the league has
for years made a practice of collecting
money from poor women and using it
in carrying out political propaganda
and not in the manner that the con-
tributors supposed
He charged that !, the Anti-Saloon
League is not only guilty Of violating
Section sc of the Legislative law, but
Of Section 444 of the general corpora
tion law, and Sections TAP and TAG of
the corrupt practices act.
Legal Violations Alleged
The corporations law, he said, pro-
vides that no corporation can partici-
pate in an election either for or
against legislator or a public official
Cuvillier says the propaganda which
the league conducted against "wet'
candidates for the Legislature is in
violation Of this act.
The corrupt practices act makes 1t
felony to give money directly or in
directly toward the election of any
candidates without fling statement
of election expenses with the Secretary
of State. Cuvillier claims the leagues
active propaganda work in circulating
End issuing statements all over the
state in the interest of Prohibition
Communal nm 1,one e;r