New-York tribune., 1920-03-12
Bracket Will
Conduct Fight
OF Dry League
Goods p eople Certainly
Shall Be Defended He
Says ON Being Asked to
Lead Legislative Battle
Anderson Defies Probe
''Best Legal Talent Will
See That We Obtain
Full JUSTICE - He Asserts

Former State Senator Edgar T.
Bracket, of Saratoga, has been retained
by the Anti-Saloon League as counsel
in the proposed investigation by the
State Assembly.
equately defended" said Mr.. Bracket,
when asked to lead the legal battle
against the "wets." Ex-senator Brack-
ett is Methodist.
For the last week he has been look
ing into the situation at Albany, and
1t IS said that he is in possession of q
tund OF information and record data
that will make interesting reading
when it is presented. William H.
Anderson, state superintendent of the
league, said yesterday:
Anderson's Statement
Senator Bracket has been employed
by the Anti-Saloon League, not to pro-
cure the suppression of any truth in
winch the public has even the slightest
valid interest, but to bring out all Of
the truth that is in any way pertinent,
and to make sure that the investiga-
tlon is genuine and honest and covers
both sides, or else make clear to the
public just why and wherein it did not.
The Anti-Saloon League has secured
the very best legal talent in order to
make certain that when the investiga-
ton is started it shall not break down
and stop before the league has it's
innings. Senator Bracket can get in
to the record the facts in the leagues
favor or make their suppression more
dangesous than their admission,
This matter has gone so far that
the Anti-Saloon League is determined
That 1t must be made clear that there
is no possible basis for an investiea-
ton, or else that it shall be proved so
unanswerably that the last man in the
state will understand that the Legisla-
ture has wasted the Taxpayers money
IN an unwarranted attempt to discredit
TINS agency of the churches in behalf
OF an outlawed liquor traffic. To those
who know Senator Bracket his en-
pIoyment will be conclusive proof of
the Anti-Saloon Leagues determina-
tion to see this thing through"
Replies to Mr.. Freeman
With reference to the denial by the
Rev. W. H. Freeman, of Carlisle, Scho-
harie County, the Presbyterian minis
ter who charged Mr.. Anderson with
reprehensible practices, Mr.. Anderson
said:
1T is hard to see why he should feel
aggrieved over the statement that he
once was one of the bunch that he now
is working with. I have not the slight
est doubt that the 'wets' will furnish
Mr.. Freeman all the money he wants
to bring libel suit, and if he brings
one it will be taken care of in due
course"
Mr.. Anderson yesterday mailed to
each member OF the Legislature let
ter headed, Some Plain Talk and
of 10 L NM
letter says, in part:
"The Anti-Saloon League never has
sought popularity with the Assembly.
1t has been impossible for anybody
to be really true to the prohibition
constituency in the matter of aggres-.
sivenaas and be on good terms with
the General Assembly Of New York
the way it has done the bidding of
the liquor interests for many years,
THE Anti-Saloon League was de-
termined to focus the attention of
the state on the question of prohibi-
ton enforcement this year, regard
less of the consequences. If, in ad-
dition to that, we succeed in getting
the gas let out of the old investiga-
ton bluff, there has been that much
gain.
IF the Legislature will not do di-
rectly what the people want, .then it
is legitimate for them to use it to
arouse the public by prodding those
responsible into doing something
foolish. 1t is entirely proper for the
Legislature to inquire whether any
law has been violated.
Defies Assembly to Act
"The public will fully understand
that if the Anti-Saloon League alone
is singled out and nothing is done
with respect to other organizations
that have pursued the same policy it
is proof that it is not a supposed
violation of the law, but a desire to
punish and silence the league that
has actuated the investigation.
"Let me make myself clear. The
Protestant churches that are back of
this movement have no fear of any
disclosures concerning it's operations
and activity, but they know their
rights, and what and who are against
them, and they are organized for as
long fight as may be necessary to
vindicate the principles Of righteous
ness for which they stand.
"In the mean time we wish to place
on record that we openly defy the
Assembly to silence us. or to stop
this kind Of work"