CHAPTER XVn 



FIGHTING IN THE LAST TRENCH 



NEVERTHELESS the story of this organi- 

 zation is one long tale of desperate 

 struggles and narrow escapes, as if it were a 

 band of outlaws menacing the safety of the 

 community. From that day in 1915 when it 

 appeared as a living force, it has not known 

 a moment when its existence was not in peril. 

 The League orators and writers said acidly 

 that if it had gone in to play the gambling 

 game instead of trying to upset it, the same 

 members pictured as demi-devils would have 

 been patted on the back and hailed as the 

 best fellows that ever lived. 



They said they could not even have the 

 truth about themselves or their movement, 

 nor about anything they said or did, told in 

 the public press. No matter what action of 

 the League was related, it was never men- 

 tioned truthfully, but always distorted that 

 it might be covered with denunciation and 

 ridicule. They said that if any person con- 

 nected with the League was interviewed for 



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