New-York tribune., 1920-03-09
'Wets' Launch
An Offensive
In Legislature
Gillette Bill for $50 Beer
and 1Ofo Wine Opens
Fight for Liberal Inter.
pretation of Amendment
Forces Well Organized
Caviliier Declares Probe
of Anti-Saloon League
Will Begin i'm Two Weeks
:fron a sten e,orrespo pondest


duction tonight in the Assembly of a
biR legalizing the manufacture and
sale of Sh per cent beer and 10 per
cent wines by Colonel Ransom II. Gill
lette, representating Columbia County
the fight between the "wets" and "drys''
started on new line.
From now on the "wets." including q
scattering of upstate Republicans from
rural sections who have for years been
placed in the dry" column, will focus
their attention on the passage OF legis-
lation which will interpret literally
the Eighteenth Amendment.
Heretofore the ''wers" have been
content with foil;ng the moves of
William H. Anderson ard other "dry''
leaders. But the rest of the session
will see the "wets" having positive
program of their own.
Numerous Wet Bills
Whether the Gillette bil,--which is
patterned on the rules and regulations
adopted by the A. E. F. governing the
sale Of liquors in France-will be
the one pressed for final passage will
be determined
AS for the investigation of the Anti
Saloon League and It's officers, Assem-
biyman Louis A. Cuvillier, of Tammany
Hall, who introduced the resolution
calling for the investigation, said to-
night he believed it would start within
fortnight and would be ended before
the middle of April.
Speaker ',weet and Attorney General
Newton conferred tonight on the plan
and scope of the proposed investga-
ton. 1t was said later that MIR. New
ton, or one of his assistants, would be
counsel to the Judiciary Committee in
the inquiry.
There are dozen or more "wet"
bills now before the Legislature and
Colonel Gillette, who saw service in
France. declared tonight that the for
mer service men in the oly--and
they number thirty-tive---are almost
solidly for measure such as he in
troduced,
incidentally many of these cx-
service men are the bitterest op-
pcnents ot the Ants Saloon League
and supported the Cuvillier resolution.
1t wa adopted last Monday night.
Cuvillier said tonight that when the
investigation was undcrtak ken by the
Assembly Judiciary Committee ne would
subpoena the members OF the last two
legis latures in an effort to show that
tttc E1ft!-SdicC!i ue lOTCSG tnGlN TO
sign pledges that they would support
prohibition in the event Of election.
Il shall subpoena the books of
the Anti-Saloon League" said Cuvil-
Tier. These will show conclusively that
the league is political organization
and that the derelictlon of its officers
In not fling reports constitutes a VIC
lation of the corrupt practices act
also shall show where and how the
money which the Anti-Saloon League
spends SO lavishly is obtained.
Fight to FINISH
"ls there any possibility of the In
vestigation being drorped9" Cuvillier
was asked.
Not the slightest" he replied.
have you received assurances that
1t will be carried to finish ?"
IL have the most complete assur-
ances,' answered Cuvlllier, "or would
have dropped this at once. The inves-
tigatlon VIII 20 on, rest assured OF
that
Assemblyman Cuvlliey said he had Il
letter from W. A. Gardner. of Cincin-
haiti, general manager Of the Allied To-
bacco League CT America, offering TO
forward evidence concerning the meth
ods and work of the Anti-Sa!oon League
in Ohio.
81 make this Offer" said Mr.. Gardner,
because of the un- American methods;
by which the league has invaded and
dominated politics"
Another letter from a minister Of tine
gospel WAS made public to- night by AS
semblyman Cuvillier 1t was from the
Rev. W. II. Weber, pastor OF the EN-
manuel Church, Of Greater River, J.. /
1t reads:
81 congratulate you on the stand you
have taken in the matter OF inves-
tigating the methods of the Anti
Saloon League.
I'm my opinion it is high time meas
ures were taken 20 Danish lobbyists
OF whatever name or purposes from our
halls Of Legislation. 1t is UP to the
people to elect fit persons to repre-
sent them in state and national de-
Lucrative bodies, and when elected
they should be left free to act accord
Ing to their best judgment and be held
responsible by the people they repre-.
sent and not by an Irresponsible gang
OF socallcd lobbyists, most of them
crookE and grafters.
"Of the matter coming up before
the Judiciary Committee, it might be
we'll to look into the matter Of the
circulation of the American Issue and
Reform Bulletin rs to 7>hether they
are conducted in accordance with the
postal regulations. Both publications
arc sent to me regularly. am not