The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-03-13
DRYS' BODY
RIN D IN
PN TTNSS
Anti Saloon League Declared
Political 81 Judge and Order
Cd 70 Disclose Finances.

ALBANY, n. y, March 1S.
The ti-Saloon League has lost
il light Of years to escape ac.
counting to the SecKs tary III State
Tor al itsIsreceipt and expendi-
lures under the corrupt practices
act.
Is Political COMMITTEES.
Supreme Court Justice Ellis 3.
Staley, of Albany. today decided that
the league was 4 political commit
tee. subject to all the requirements
81 the committees Of the Repub-
lican, Democratic. and other politi-
cal parties. which must fine state
ments with the secretary Of State
showing all of their receipts and
expenditures in election campaigns.
Brought BY Five Citizens.
The action to have the league de-
.cIared q political committee was
brought by five Troy citizens. who
were represented at the trial by
Col. William H. Gillett. attorney for
the association against the prohi.
bition amendment.
Justice Staley, In his decision.
declared that the activities OF the
league In the work OF the suppress.
sion OF the liquor traffic caused il
to exert its activities in behalf Of
candidates for public office who
would use their power and vote to
accomplish this purpose and against
those who would not"
Motive Is Political.
Many activities in connection
with elections are educational. =
Justice Staley said, but their mo-
tive Is to effect the result. and To
aid or defeat candidates or PROPOSE
tons, submitted for a decision by
the ballot box. When money is re-
ceived for such purpose, the law
requires publicity to disclose its
sources and amount, and to test the
sincerity for the public good of the
means and propaganda employed.
The law is predicated upon the
fundamental truth that publicity
will never hurt good cause and
has destroyed bad ones.
Order may therefore be entered
directing the Anti-Saloon League to
file a statement Of the appointment
or a treasurer, as provided by
statute, with the Secretary OF State
and directing the Anti.Saloon
League Of New York, through its
treasurer and its respondent of
ficers, members and agents thereof
to file q statement of receipts. ex.
penditures and liabilities, received.
made and incurred in connection
with the primary election of 1922
and also in connection with the
| general election of 1922"
Justice Staley ruled a political
committee means any committee or
combination of three or more ner.
sons, cooperating to aid or promote
the success or defeat OF a political
party or principle, or of any
proposition submitted to vote at n
public election, or to- aid or take
part in the election or defeat of a
candidate for public office, or to aid
or take part in the election or de.
feat OF candidate for nomination
at a primary election or convention.
THE purpose of the statute in
volved in this proceeding is plain, I"
ne said. 1t requires publicity of
| moneys received and expended in
connection with the activities Of a
committee having relation to
elections and designed to aid or de.
feat candidates for public office and
propositions submitted to the vote
| OF the electors at public election"
Justice StaIey said that the proof
in the action before him conclusive.
ly discloses that the Anti.Saloon
League of New York, through it's
officers and employees, and at its
expense, was an active participant
to aid and defeat candidates for
public office at the primary and
9Gsneral elections ~ 1924