Great Falls tribune., 1921-04-04

Saloon league or new 1OTk, al
the Methodist Episcopal churc)
Mr.. Anderson, in the course of an
address in which he formally opened
the campaign of the Allied Citizens Of
America to nationalize the method of
law enforcement which has given
Yonkers wide publicity, declared that in
New York alone 100000 persons are
back of the movement to introduce 1t
into other states.
Explaining that the Allied Citizens
of America was incorporated two years
ago ito uphold American ideals and
the United States constitution and par
Iticularly the eighteenth amendment"
Mr. Anderson declared that its purpose
is to put into operation all over the
United States the successful expert
ment in practical civics," which he said,
had been made in Yonkers, his home
city.
In telling Of it's results there he said:
There have been raids, arrests.
seizures Of large quantities of liquor.
expulsions from the police force for
connivance with violators, indictments,
convictions, fines and prison sentences.
City officials no longer are Indifferent
or defiant and there has been created
a tangible majority sentiment for law
observance. New York pays $50, ,000,
600 year for law enforcement and
the Allied Citizens of Yonkers have
merely insisted that its police and civic
authorities shall earn their salaries.
The situation is far from perfect but
there is motion and in the right direc-
ton.
''Protestants, Catholics, Jews and
those of other religions in YOnkers
who reverence order, country, human
ity and God. are united in the effort.
Under the plan evidence is obtained
respecting violation of the prohibition
law for the sole purpose Of publishing
it in order that citizens may know the
degree and kind of enforcement they
are getting from their public officials
in return for their taxes. Everyone
pays taxes in some form and they have
a right to know what they get for their
money.
I'VE have always refused to turn
over any evidence to be used to secure
convictions: that is the very essence
Of the plan. Publicity in the form Of
the organizations affidavits telling Of
liquor infractions helps officials who
are doing their best and enables the
wedding out Of those who wink at vio-
lations. Thus, as we have operated in
Yonkers, we shah enable the people Of
any community to exert the same pres
sure of public opinion to force officials
to do their duty
Mr.. Anderson said that the allied
citizens was designed to supleme ent the
Anti-Saloon league and that there are
mo initiation fees. dues or assess
ments." He declared the records of the
Anti Saloon league would show that
more than 100000 persons in the
United States are regularly contrib
uting to its activities. Organization OF
the allied citizens. he said, will be
started by the league this week in
every state. No salaries. he said are
paid to any of its officials
4 Quoting from Mr.. Rockefeller's
pledge he read: "The question of wis
dom and propriety of national pro-
been decided by the adoption of the
federal constitutional amendment and
sustained by the United States Su-
preme court. 1t is now the law of the
land, predicated upon a constitutional
amendment, which is the most solemn
form of legislation possible under our
form of government.
ITO fail the observance and enforce
ment of such law strikes at the very
foundations OF orderly government
and is in that way an attack upon
civil liberty, for in a republic there can
be no freedom for the individual il
there is no respect for and enforce
ment of the laws which have been en-
acted in the manner prescribed by the
people themselves in the constitutions
which they have adopted.
while the general legislation OF
nation and state determines the condi-
tons under which enforcement must
be carried on, yet in the last analysis
enforcement is local matter and
must be worked out in every locality
and the people Of each locality must
face and assume their responsibility
for the creation and maintenance OF
the public sentiment that will support
local officials in enforcement and re-
quire them to do their duty.
The process of public education
which is essential to the enforcement
Of any law which is singled out for
organized attack and efforts OF modi.
fication, will result in a better public
comprehension of the Importance OF
upholding the sanctity of law in gen
eral take occasion to express nv
feeling of the vital Importance of law
observance and law enforcement AZ
essential to the permanence of our
free institutions"
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