The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-07-03
!. REFORMING PAYS


Senator Jim Reeds committee investigating cam
pagn expenditures is disclosing the first time the
inner workings of the powerful AntiSaloon League,
the organization chiefly responsible for proh1oltlon
The influence of the league in Congress and
State Legislatures, its power in party counchs anu
its ability to interfere successfully with the appoint
ment of Judges prosecutors and other public officers
has been known
But the extent of its activities, the enormous
sums it collects and spends and its methods Oh op-
GRAFTON heretofore have been concealed. The league
has clothed itself with sanctity, has assumed all VIZ
tue and has made the assumption stick
Any analysis of the amazing revelations before
Reeds committee Friday would be perhaps prema-
ture The disclosures have only begun for one
thing.
Further the hearing was clash between two
brilliant lawyers with nimble wits and ready tongues
Reed the inqusitor, and Wayne B. Wheeler, the
AntfSaloon Leagues legislative agent-or lobbyist
in Washington
Each is able and each doubtless is tremendously
sincere
However, from the voey Of questions and an
swers and the acrimony of the examination certain
facts seem to be established.
Foremost among these is that the AntiSaloon
League is well organized and well financed and that
the men who carry its business are we'll paid,
even those like William J, Bryan, who. made of
prohibition a holy issue.
Bryan, it was developed at Fridays hearing,
ceved for his prohibition speeches in 1919 some
$1,000
s. Then there was Richmond Pearson Hobson,
naval hero former member of Congress, and father
Of the prohibition amendment who between 1914
and 1922 received $171,249, part of it while he
in Congress.
John F. Kramer first prohibition director, got
$500 for years work after the Federal Govern
ment decided it no longer needed him.
Pussyfoot Johnson, the spectacular international
prohibionist received in years about $4,000
in salary.
ss Sam Small the noted evangelist, got $32,654 in
single year for spreading the gospel of prohibition
This was developed from an audit of league books
at Westervile, Ohio.
Frank B. Willis, former Governor of Ohio and
now United States Senator paid $1,000 in 1919.
Besides these, there were perhaps 1000 other
more humble workers for the cause, most of them
paid far modest scale. Some received
:. nothing.
- Representative William D. Upshaw, Georgia
evangelist and prohibition orator, was among those
receiving cash. In one instance M. c. Keser, head
of the AntiSaloon League speakers bureau, wanted
! Upshaw to make free speech at meeting in
Washington, where other speakers were not paid.
&. Upshaw demurred and demanded S75, pleading
poverty, altnOugn hoISor JOlQ an associate he look
all Upshaw said with grain of SALT
Upshaw made the speech. Then he wrote Kel-
SER i think you will have to shell down the
and admit your Georgia friend made pretty good
speech on Americas greatest battle I the
cash colections) would have been decidedly larger
4 II it had not been Christmas. Remember the
y s1,168 collection cost you advertising only 81
in taxi In sending check let your conscience be your
guide, Upshaw was paid $25
Roughly totaled-and this is important-the ex-
penditures of the league to bring about prohibition
were $35000,000. The national organization has
spent since 1920 $35OOOOo in prohibition agitation,
while State subsidiaries have spent $65OOOOO in the
same way. ~,
Thus given a glimpse ofsthe activities
of the Ant-Saloon League and learn gthat it is
big, well organized, well financed society spend
ing millions to force it's views upon the country
learn, well that its most vociferous agents are
paid and in most instances well paid for their labor
in behalf of the