Evening journal., 1921-05-31
VETS PLANNING
flight i ATPOLES
Movement to Force Repeal
-rof- Volstead Act Takes
Form in Philadelphia
ORGANIZING
STEADILY

PHILADELPHIA, May ST.
within few months this country
will see the beginning OF a tight that
is be3hg started TO destroy prohihi-
tion root and branch. II will not be
"a series of sporadic outbursts or
hareups here and there. Either will
At Ss battle to the finish, or there
win rBe no contest at all, and the
lattef Is not probable.
The great movement that started
rccently 10 force the repeal OF the
tNoistoad act is crystallizing in Phila-
sdelphia probably much faster than
anywhere else in the country. The
-aaaa who are back of the fight are
planning to let the prohibitionists
know for the first time that they
have a real fight on their hands in
stead Of mere passive resistance.
In the first place an evidence OF
the spirit of the whole proceedings
can be had from the fact that the
leaders are simply swamped, caught
with their guard down. as 1t were. by
NIIlf- N4EN VI ANlAAAtAAANA 80 NAt-+rN 80 N
ranks against the drys.
when the movement started in
this city it was more as a test of sem
ument than anything else; desire
TO ascertain whether public support
would be forthcoming IL any attempt
at an organized fight were made. Il
was the desire Of the leaders to he
sure Of their ground before going
ahead.
Consequently no provision was
made for a real headquarters or for
any form Of definite organization.
The result has been TO place a real
handicap on the movement, as now
everything has to be held up until
facilities are obtained for handling
the rush.
Thousands OF citizens have swamp
ed. the impromptu headquarters in
thAAreaI estate offices OF Dolman,
Mauran & Co. in the Liberty Build
ing.a How many applicants for mem
bership there are is not known. ac-
cording to Mr. Dolman, who asserts
that they cannot be handled by his
clerks and that the association has
eot to make some other provision for
a headquarters Immediately.
Evidences that the men who have
signed as members are really sincere
although many of them profess
never to drink alcoholic liquors OF
any Kind. may be had at every turn
The biggest thing that has beer
brought out so far has been the re
iteration by those applying foi
membership that they are agains
Prohibition because IL is un-Ameri
can and an infringement of persona
liberty. Ministers. lawyers, physi
cians. business men, artisans an
others-responsihie men almost a
ARE strenuous in this assertion.
A curious fact is that a large pei
cantagc OF those who sign are abs6
lutely against the return OF the 81
loon IN the old sense.
At present the lack OF facilities ha
s6ihowhat handicapped the advanc
OF the associations membership
biz a call for help has been sent Il
the' national headquarters in Wash
ington. and a few days probably viii
seen matters humming.
The plans of the organization ar,
ah,open and above board The Off
cers make no attempt TO surround
their methods with mystery. Th'
drya fought alcoholic drinks witt
wel-organized propaganda and tn,
nlvmhers OF Congress were forcel
is go permit the passage Of the Vol
stead act through fear Of the result
TO themselves IL they opposed &
That is the declaration Of this assc
H cation, and now the members openl
Announce that they intend applyin
the same methods and thus maxim
It. an open test of the franchis
f Congressional candidates who su
port the views of the drys will
opposed by the members of this a
seciation.
Stress is laid on the fact that L
association asks all its members al
expects them to vote for candidat
who declare against the Volste
law and in favor Of the exercise
state rights.
It's planned prior 10 every ele
tion TO obtain certified statements
. the exact number OF those G
roAed in each district and TO let n
capdidates know about IL. Cand
+ daies Will be asked for a definite al
rolncement OF their stand on II
question and supported accordingly
Not only will Philadelphia be ol