Evening star., 1930-12-16
DRY LAW CRITICS
SCORED BY LEAGUE
Officers Named and General
Policy Stated by District
Anti-SaIoon Body.

Firing q broadside attack on critics
Of the prohibition law and reafhrming
our answering adherence to the eight
eenth amendment and the Volstead and
other enforcing acts" the Anti Saloon
League Of the District Of Columbia, in
its annual meeting at Grace Reformed
Church, elected oficers for the year
and laid down o general statement Of
policy.
David A. Hart, assistant United
States attorney, in an address explain
ing the activities of his once enforcing
the law, recommended enactment Of
legislation to provide for juries sitting
month instead Of only two weeks.
DR.. Andrew Wilson, who was unable
to be present last night, was reelected
president. Theodore A. Hostetter was
made vice president TO replace Percy
s. Foster, who resigned. The follow
omcerS were elected: Bishop william
Frazier Mcdowell, Bishop James e.
Freeman, DR.. William Knowles Cooper,
DR.. Lucius G. Clark, Leonard De Cast,
DR.. Albert J. Mccartney, Gen. A. s.
Daggett, y. s. A., retired; treasurer,
Charles 8. Easteriing; executive secre-
tary and attorney, Albert e. Shoemaker;
secretary, Charles Williams; chap
lain, Rev. G. H. Butler.
Adopt 10 Resolutions.
Many religious bodies and civic or
ganizations were represented ut the
meeting, which was presided over by
Albert Stabler. q delegate from the
Friends Meeting.
The list Of 19 resolutions unanimously
adopted by the body was presented by
Rev. Mr.. Butler.
These resolutions, In part, were as
follows:
I'VE reafirm our answering adher-
ence to the eighteenth amendment and
the Volstead and other enforcing acts.
We restate our belief in the policy of
national prohibition as established by
the eighteenth amendment. We re-
toice in its success so far under ex-
tremely adverse conditions, as is evi-
denced by less drunkenness. fewer
deaths from alcoholism, fewer cases Of
inebriety and by the increased number
Of home owners, savings accounts, in
surance policies, school attendance and
general BENEFITS TO the people.
To the honest man the economic
and moral results Of this legislation are
outstanding despite widespread hostility
to its enforcement and much attendant
corruption.
"The chief argument Of those who
opposed prohibition Is taht 1t Is not and
cannot be enforced, and at the same
time these opponents unfairly and un-
patriotically are doing all within their
power to prevent enforcement.
General Welfare Aided.
During the more than 10 years Of
national prohibition 1t has become in
creaSingly apparent that the total pro-
h1bition Of the beverage liquor traffic
has done more for the general welfare
OF the people than any form of regula-
ton or partial prohibition ever tried in
the United States or elsewhere.
I'VE call upon all good citizens faith
fully to observe and so far as possible
assist in the enforcement Of the pro-
hibition laws
I'VE assert that the charge so fire.
quently published or declared that
crime mas increased under prohibition
and that prohibition is responsible
therefor Is false
Prohibition Is effective in the Dis
trict Of Columbia. There is no open
Migrant sale Of liquors and but little
drunkenness may be seen on the streets.
Nevertheless, we are conscious of the
fact that the law is being violated by
certain class Of men and women.
With all law-abiding citizens, we
demand the strictest enforcement of
the prohibition laws in this District.
To that end we call upon the consti-
tuted authorities. both national and
local, to give their best endeavors.
Citizens Cooperation Asked.
I'VE therefore call upon all in au-
thority, whose duty it Is, to enforce the
law without fear or favor. We call upon
all citizens to uphold the hands Of au-
thority, that 1t may be known by all
that the people Of the District are law
abiding and demand and expect that
the laws be enforced against the out
lawed trafic.
While it is the established policy
Of the League not to engage in the
detection Of violations of the law, leav-
ing such work to the properly consti-
tuted authorities, it hereby renews its
pledge to cooperate with the officers
OF the law, local and national, in main
tanning the prohibition laws in their
highest integrity to the end that the
greatest possible benefit may be derived
therefrom.
I'VE disapprove of the proposed
popular referendum on the eighteenth
amendment.
I'VE remind our public school au-
thorities and public school teachers of
their duty and privilege of faithful in
struction in all the grades regarding
the injurious effects Of alcohol and all
others forms Of narcotics upon the
human body.
I'VE renew our. demand that all
members of the Metropolitan police
force be given authority to enforce the
prohibition laws, similar to that of
Federal a0Antg We indOrsa the EJOweIl
the District OF Columbia.
Recognizing the tremendous infiu-
ence Of the press, we heartily commend
those Washington papers that realize
their responsibility to the prohibition
laws as they do to other laws, and which
! are outSpoken In favor of lay obServ-