Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-02-28
VETO OF WEBB BILL
Taft Classes Measure as
Clearly Unconstitutional.
HIS MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
Legislation Prohibits Shipment of
LIQUOR Into Prohibition Territory.
LAST MEETING OF CABINET
Members May, However, Unite in
Dinner to observation-disclosures
Hearing Scheduled.
HIS MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
LAST MEETING OF CABINET

President Taft late this afternoon sent
to Congress his veto OF the Webb bill
prohibiting the shipment Of liquor for
Illegal purposes into prohibition territory.
and that the veto would be upon the
ground that the bill is clearly unconsti-
tutional.
At the last regular cabinet meeting OF
the Taft administration. beginning at noon
and lasting for something more than an
hour. Attorney General Wickersham sub
mitted 10 the President a formal opinion
that the bill was unconstitutional and
this conceded SO fully with the Presidents
own view that he did not hesitate to
write a brief message putting the bill
out of business.
Ex-senator Newell Sanders of Tonnes
see, whose efforts in the Senate brought
about the passage of the bill, was the
last person to see the President about
the measure today. He urged that the
President allow the bill to become law,
without his signature, and let the con-
stitutionality of IL be tested In the courts.
MIR. Sanders is the republican national
committeeman of Tennessee. He tried
hard to convince the President that the
bill should have a test In the courts.
All the members of the cabinet were
present and after disposing of important
business pending the members informally
said goodbye to each other, although
they probably will get together in a fare
we'll to the President before he leaves the
city. most likely at the train the day he
departs.
Customs Hearing Tomorrow.
sasements for tomorrow. and announced
that he would spend the morning in listen
ing to arguments. largely by senators and
xha oyrct
organization plan now before him.
The hearing will be held in the east
room. and those who object to the bill
will be allowed time to make their views
known. 1t is regarded as rather curious
that members of Congress make few
objections to consultations and reor-
CARNATIONS generally. The objections
are strenuous, however. when the con-
solidation is applied to ports in their
respective districts. 1t is case of an
exceedingly good thing elsewhere, but
bad in particular districts.
Secretary MacVeagh, Assistant Secre-
tary Curtis and Treasury experts will
uphold the plan that is before the Presi-
dent. and which he must sign by Mon
day if it is to become effective.
They will be present with figures per-
tanning to collections and business at
each port and the work of each official
approves the plan. The hearing will
last several hours, beginning at 10
o'clock.
Prospect Of Busy Day.
The President will have mighty busy
day tomorrow. Besides the hearing and
much other official work he will present
the 81, 900 medal to Capt. Rostron Of the
Carpathia at o'clock In the afternoon.
At in the afternoon he will visit the
Press Club and at night he will put In
brief time at each of two banQuets. max
ing a speech at the gathering of local
knights of Columbus, and saying good
bye to his friends in the University Club