PUSSYFOOTERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16607, 3 December 1919, Page 8

PUSSYFOOTERS.

ADVANCE GUARD IN BRITAIN. 3TOMEN SPELLBINDERS. (London Daily Mail). When first—and last—l met Mr. “Pussyfoot” Joan son, a serene cairn permeared his headquarters in Fleet Street. A solitary girl-typist, tapping away, alone latrutlea ou Clio peaceful quiet ot the scene. It was a very different headquarters the other auornuon—all bustle and business and. visitors, not to mention an apparent two or throe hundred percent increase m the office staff. Clearly something was “doing." iUr. Jonnsou, large-uanded and hearted in his welcome, nrst oi ail proiessed himself satislied witu the tala ot iumsen and ius doings, as published in tno Daily Mail, then presented Dr. Henry Beach Carre, vice-ciiairman%pt Die Executive Committee ot League of America, and professor of tueoiogy at Vanderbilt (university, A asnvrne, Tennessee. Dr. Carre is one of the four Pussyfoot loaders wno have arrived in Engi hind lor the forthcoming ‘•dry” oamI paign. Another leader, Miss Green, j was in an nnto-room, while two others,' ! Dr. Toole and Mr. Henry, were fulfilling engagements elsewhere. A SCOTCH STORY. The Pussyfootors, in fact, are in England, and more arc odulThg, “the best speakers,” as Mr. Leif Jones says, i to “spellbind” the British public into ! saying good-bye to its beer. | Dr. Carre is a quiet, sallow man, with a big bald head, and he does not wear black bone spectacles. He served in the French ■ Y.M.U.A. during the war. Since then he has acted as European survey agent for the League. “Wo are hot interfering in any way in these countries,” declared Dr. Carre. “The local temperance organisations must work out their own ’ schemes.” “Then what are you doing?” “Just telling them how America voted heioelf dry and the advantages that accrue therefrom.” At this phase further talk was interrupted by Mr. “.Pussyfoot” Johnson receiving a postcard from Scotland depicting one Scot saying to another: “Hi, Sandy! Dao ye heal’d o' Jack Macintyre? Ho went hamo sober last mgut and his auld dog bit him.” Across the card was written: “Go and drown yourself.” Mr. “Pussyfoot” Johnson had to pay 2d on receipt of the card, which was unstamped. “W r e thou went on discussing European events. “Dr. Carre, the chief argument against you in England is that you entirely and systematically ignore the moderate man. You 'drys' scorn to thrive on extremes in your arguments. W hat of the raodcrato drmner who forms the vast majority of the ‘wets' of this country?” “PROHIBITION THE ONLY WAY,” “We are sorry for him and her. Prohibition is tno only way. Wc ve been waiting tor a man, all those years, to solve it otherwise. Can't bo done. The moderate man must be willing to deny himself the pleasures of alcohol in tno interests ol the community as a whole.” “fs it not possible that in banisning drink you tube more happiness from the world than you give m return?” “Quito impossible.” Dr. Carre then drew a vivid picture of a world of bliss, of holidays and motor-cars and sunshine for all as against this world ot “booze and shadow.” “Alcohol never did. any man any good,” ho went ou. “Ours was a moral victory across tho water, and wo are sending you tho best we have to convert you. Yes, wo shall pay their salaries. Tho Rev. William Poole and Mr. Henry and others will draw about £6O a month.” “So that the funds of tho Anti-Sa-loon League arc directly behind the European campaign?” “Yes. But you want to remember that nearly all those funds were collected in our churches. I am told by your leaders that our church methods will not bo possible here. That is a bad blow to our cause. Y T ou see in America wo were allowed to preach regularly, and then to hand subscription cards round tho church. Despite everything that has been said about ns our methods have been clean and open. Our slogan is: ‘Agitation, legislation, law enforcement.’ Our millions will henceforward bo applied to agitation in Europe and law enforcement in our own country.” As I rose to go, I was surrounded by four or five “dry” women, one of whom, Miss Green, Y.M.C.A., is going to Scotland to “talk to mothers” and “discuss social problems.” In a word, the “Pussyfooters” are hero—and no one heard them approach.