The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1920-09-07

washington, D. c.. Sept. An
association for the purpose OF ngnt-
ing federal prohibition has been Or
xanixed in Washington under the
title OF the Association Against the
Prohibition Amendment.
Such an organization seems tne
logical and orderly expression OF
the opposition to national pronipl-
ton. 1t is certainly more desirable
even from the standpoint OF 2 dry,
that the antagonism to prohibition
should express itself in this way:
rather than in individual acts OF
lawlsssnesS.
This association proposes to fight
prohibition by seeking to get q bal
ance Of power in each COMPRESSION
Al district, and so influencing con-
gress to repeal the Volstead Act
and ultimately the Prohibition
Amendment It favors local option
and believes that intelligent regula-
ton of the liquor traffic in accord
ance with local conditions and opin-
ions is desirable.
Since the Anti-Saloon League has
been given the widest publicity IN
its fight on the liquor traffic. II
seems only fair that the existence
of this organization for those who
oppose prohibition should also be
made known to all who are inter-
ested.e Its address is the Munsey
building, Washington, D. c.
This organization takes the view
that prohibition accomplishes much
good and that it deserves dignified
treatment and serious consideration.
but that the present prohlDltipn
laws are improper and dangerous.
1t points out that conditions vary
locally and that any law which en-
ables the residents of one tection
to say what those of another sec
| ton may eat and drink is funda-
mentally unfair and in violation OF
T, the principles of state and individ-
ual rights. It further sets forth the
claim that the present prohibitlon
laws are unpopular with the ma
jority of voters, and were passed
through the efforts of a highly or
ganixed and efficiently working MI
nority.
! For Repeal Of Volstead Act.
| The first object of the organize
ton is to have the Volstead Act re-
pealed, and to have legislation pas
sed in its place which will leave
the enforcement of the eighteenth
amendment, SO long as it remains
in force. to the people of the sever
al states under the concurrent
clause. Its ultimate object is to
procure the repeal of the Prohibi-
ton Amendment.
The association is non-partisan
and non-sectarian and both men
and women are eligible to member
ship. Brewers, d.stillers and all
others who have made their livings
from the liquor trade are ineligible
to voting membership, SO that the
association may not fairly be &C
cused of a financial interest in its
work. 1t is further provided that
no officer of the association shall
be salaried and that money shall
not be paid for lobbying nor to any
official.
This association does not ask a
man to pledge himself to vote un-
der any and all circumstances only
for candidates who oppose prohi'
bition; but it asks him to sign
statement of his attitude on the
question, and to vote for anti-pro-
Inhibition candidates as often as pos
sible. 1t does not seek to form q
new party or to destroy any mans
present party affiliation.
The main activities Of 1.-THE asso
citation will be directed to the form
ing of local organizations and thu
recruiting of members. 1t will ex
ert its Influence chiefly by the sim
pie expedient Of bringing TO the at
tention of candidates and Of part,
leaders the number Of voters in Civ