Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-05-17
TO Determine
STATUS OF ANTI
SALOON LEAGUE

Albany. N. Y, May 16-The ques-
ton whether the Anti Saloon League
of New York is a political part and,
as such. should be compelled to file
with the secretary Of state a state
ment Of its receipts and expenditures
in the primary and general election
campaign Of 1922. was argued in the
appellate division Of the supreme
court today. The case was carried
to the appellate division on an appeal
by the League from a ruling of Su-
preme Court Justice Ellis A. Staley,
March 10 last. The decision of JUS
t:ce Staley was rendered on a petit
ton filed by a group Of Troy resi-.
dents that the League be declared
political party,
The arguments presented to the APP
pellate division followed, in the main,
those made before Justice Staley.
Colonel Ransom III. Gillett Of Albany
and Troy, appeared for the Troy pc
titioners, and former State Senator
Edgar T. Bracket Of Saratoga
Springs and j. Arthur Love Of New
York represented the League.
Colonel Gillett reviewed the testi-
mony presented to Justice Staley,
showing that the New York Anti
Saloon League was Incorporated as a
membership corporation, January 4,
1905; that in May, 1913, its board of
trustees changed the name to the
Anti-Saloon Lea que of New York, but
that no record of the change appeared
in the office of the secretary of state:
that 1T is apparently connected with
the Anti-Saloon League of America,
with headquarters at Westerville, O.,
and acts as subscription agency for
the newspaper published by the ma
ticnal organization at Westerville and
known as THE American Issue. New
York Edition, which it circulates.
The Anti-Saloon League of New
York, Colonel Gillette argued took an
aggressive and active part in and
spent large sums of money for polit-
ical purposes during the primary and
general election campaign of 1922. In
support of this contention he intro
duced many circulars of the League
covering the period from May %,
when it assailed the record of Sena-
tor William NJ. Calder, until Novem-
Der 2, when it sent letters to pastors
all over the state urging them to get
the members of their congregations to
to the polls.
"Thcse instances. he said "are suf-
ficient to show political activity of the
most pronounced kind.
Further points emphasized by Col
oEel Gillette were:
The corrupt Practice Act must be
literally construed to the end that
money spent by individuals or COM
binations of individuals for political
purposes shall be publicly accounted
for.
The Anti Saloon League of New
Nnrl, hac local CT
changed its name without changing
its charter.
The AntiSaloon League of New
York is a political religious combina-
ton of persons seeking to control the
processes of government without as
Stunning public responsibility or ac-
ccuntability for its acts.
Therefore, Colonel Gillett conclud-
cd, the order of Justice Staley should
be affirmed.
Senator Bracket asked that JUS
tice Staley'S order be reversed on the
following grounds:
1t is not certain whether the pro-
ceeding is directed against the League
or against individuals who are it's
officers.
That the League is an incorporated
body and that there is not the re-
ihotNSl SuSIJiCloIi VI " luSICc tIldl IL
has confederated with anybody or
that it has become one of three or
more persons operating for politi-
cal purposes.
The objects and purposes of the
League are not political. They are
cducative and educative only. The
League does not support any party.
It's sole purpose is to educate as to
candidates, giving information with
respect to their records, showing to
the people the answers the candidates
make to the questions.
Commenting upon Justice Staley's
comment that 1.-The law is predicated
upon, fundamental truth that pub
licity will never hurt a good cause
and has destroyed many bad ones,
Senator Bracket said The appre-
hension of crime is a meritorious
work, but Scotland Yard does not
publish its plans. The work of this
League, to be effective, must be done
largely in secret, and how we'll such
work has been done must be judged
by the results. which speak for them
selves, and decisively".