The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1923-02-09
SALOON MEN
DEFY THE WORLD.
League Backs Superintendent
William n. Anderson
OIL KINGS WILL AID PROBE
Exalt w. H. Anderson And Tell
Churches Critical Hour" Has
Arrived-Quiet on
RockefelIers.
OIL KINGS WILL AID PROBE

ment from the directors of the Anti
Saloon League of New York, was
given to William H. Anderson, who
is under fire III the District Attorneys
office. They adopted at the McAlpin
a resolution praising their superin-
tendent "for the wise and upright and
courageous way in which he has con-
Quoted and managed the leagues af-
fairs, and we utter our defiance
against the world, the flesh and the
devil, which we believe are leagued
against US in this contest"
The board construed the charges
against Mr.. Anderson as thrust at
prohibition by the forces of evil'
and notified the 5000 churches sup
porting the League that the critical
hour" is here.
No mention was made by the
board in it's formal statement issued
through Mr.. Anderson, Of the report
made public tina. John D. Rockefeller,
ST., and Jr., had withdrawn their f.
nancial support from the organiza-
ton.
Acting District Attorney Pecora
took exception to the Leagues state
ment and replied that Sin the conduct
of this investigation, the prohibition
issue is in no way involved, nor will
it become involved through any desire
or activities on my part" He said
his sole purpose was to find out if
there had been any criminal wrong
doing" by anybody connected with
the League.
Ex-senator Edgar T. Bracket has
been engaged as council for the
League and was present at the meet.
ing Of the directors, as was Mr.. An
derson. The board met in a private
luncheon room on the second mezza-
zine floor of the hotel, sat for three
hours, and then, to avoid newspaper
and camera men, vanished by way
of service elevator up which their
luncheon supplies had come.
At the District Attorneys office, Mr..
Pecora seemed to, take the minute and
resolution of the Anti-Saloon League
as reflection upon his inquiry. He
said he had already assured Mr.. An
derson, Mr.. Bracket, Dr. Moor, the
League Secretary, and Raymond B.
Fosdick, representative Of the Rookie
fellers, that the investigation relates
solely to such allegations as may in
volve the commission of any crime"
"Our purpose" Mr.. Pecora added.
ais to ascertain whether or not there
has been any criminal wrongdoing
and this can be done without in any
way involving the prohibition qaes.
ton or cause. It is because we are
carrying on the investigation. in this
spirit that have seduously refrained
in examining the books of the League
from trying to ascertain anything
respecting the general contributions
made to or the general expenditures
made by the League in the promo.
ton Of its work. This investigation
cannot in any way be regarded as a
manifestation of factivities in opposi-
ton to the League or it's cause.
IF any criminal act has been
committed by any person connected
with the League or active in its
cause, in my opinion, no greater serv-
ice can be rendered the cause of pro-
hibition than to expose such wrong
doing"
Miss Maude M. O'Dell, Superin-
tendent Anderson's assistant, was
questioned at length by Mr.. Pecora.
Her testimony was summed up by Mr..
Pecora with the words:
"The ignorance of some people is
highly Illuminating"