New Britain herald., 1926-06-30
ACTIVITY OF WET
 WORKERS ALSO IS
 EXPOSED ID VIEW
Association Against Prohibition Amendment Quizzed By Sen-
 ate Funds Committee

YEARLY AVERAGE SPENT SAID TO BE ABOUT S4S0,O0O
 senator Reed Rests White King Questions W. 4. Stayton Head of 1 Anti-wet Group Who Explains That Although Opposed to Prohi-
 hition, His Association Falors ob-
 serving Lay While It Exists. Washington, June 30. tp,-Ths association against prohibition amendment was put on the dissect- ing table today by the Senate cam paIgn fund committee and these dis closures were the result:
 The National Wet organization | and it's state branches have a mem bership of about 726,00o and are handling an average Of about S4So.- 900 a year.
 Non Partisan Efforts
 The money is used in part in po !itical campaigns, with a view to the selection, on a non- partisan basis. of public officials who favor repeal of the dry laws.
 During the recent Pennsylvania Republican primary campaign, of ficials of the association worked for William Ware, the successful candi- date for the senatorial nomination. Sending out a form letter asking for contributions from S0,00o mem bers of the organization in that state.
 Meetings to Help Ware
 Some mass meetings were held for the purpose Of aiding Ware, and the expenses, amounting to s3,5oo were paid by the association.
 The story Of the organizations activities was told to the committee by its founder and head, William A Styton, from the witness chair occupied but recently by Wayne B. Wheeler, grand marshal of the dry forces in Washington.
 Wheeler was in the front row In the crowd that assembled 10 hear the wet leader for the first fine but Chairman Reed Of the commit. tee, sat in back seat. The chair- man said 1t has been "slanderousIvn said that he was wet. and he wanted someone else to examine inc witness.
 Under questioning by Senator King, Democrat, Utah. Stayton first told how the parent organization and it's state branches came into being to seek repeal of the eighteen th amendment and the Yolstead act hut he said they stood also for oh- servance of the dry statutes so long as they remained law.
 Dry Senators Ready
 The dry senators had come into he committee room fortified bv vol. luminous information presented by wayne B. Wheeler of the Anti-Sa. oon league, who has charged ex- pendltures by wet interests in the 'ecent Pennsylvania primary Just before Stayton was called to the 'tand the committee held a long executive session, at which it ex- lmined the dry leaders information 'n that subject.
 When Senator Reed withdrew rom the questioning Of Stayton. ex- of the witness was taken 'ver by Senator King, democrat. of tah. Stayton said the purpose of he organization he founded in 1918 vas to encourage obedience to the Try laws so long as they were on he statute books. but to do every. hing that could be done de 'ently ''to bring about the repeal of he 18th amendment and the Vol. itead act.
 Whats the membership of your King asked,
 T think it is 726, 000."
 Distributed over the states?"
 "Yes, fairly generally a little arger in Ohio and New York than n the other states.t
 Stayton said when the association vas organized there was a discus ion about 1t taking part in such political activities as might bring bout the repeal of the dry acts.
 Docs your association conduct & 
 "The parent organization does not. ut some of the state bodies have lone so."
 The witness added that William I. Fish, while with the association, lad launched a paper in New Jer- ey. which is now private enter ,rise.
 He testified that Dr. J. J. Seelman ,f Milwaukee. is vice. president of he national association and that Gordon c. Hinkey of Washington. is and treasurer The head quarters here are in eight small 'ooms.' he said, with a stan of about 30. ..a.
 Executive Session $
 The examination was suspended It this point while tho committee vent lnto executive session with John J. McGrain. deputy sergeant at arms Of the senate, as to why sub ooenas had not been served on Thomas W. Cunningham Of Phila- ielphia, treasurer of the publican tate committee. and Magistrate Frank x. o'Connor. anti-Vare leader n South Philadelphia.
 No announcement was made after he executive session and the ques- oining Of Stayton was resumed. He iaid that in those states where the