The Detroit times., 1915-01-20
BAR SPIRITS, But
TOLERATE BEER,
IS TUFTS PLAN
Suggestion for Compromise Pro.
hibition Measure Seems TO
Find Favor In Lansing
REAL LIQUOR FIGHT TO
COME IN LOWER HOUSE
Ferris Still "Mum" On Dry
observation-disclosures 10 Discuss
Proposed Legislation
From a Star Correspondent,


LANSING. Mich, Jan. 20.--lf Mich
igan goes "dry" through the action OF
the 1876 legislature IL viii do SO by
statute and not by constitutional
amendment
The most ardent supporters OF
statewide prohibition do not profess
TO see the necessary number or votes
10 obtain the passage OF constitu-
tional amendment through either
house, and the more candid admit that
even the statutory prohibition bill
would have hard shedding. al least in
the house.
should Senator Henry Straight. OF
Coldwater. carry ont his announced
intention OF introducing a statewide
prohibition bill in the senate. the real
battle will be staged in the house.
II is reasonably certain that the
dry" forces are in control OF the sen,
ate. Estimates of the dry" strength
differ, ranging from 20 TO IL. The
vote on Senator Odells resolution.
calling upon Gov. Ferris 10 outline his
views on the liquor question, is taken
by the more sanguine as indicative or
the general sentiment, but when IL is
known that two members. admittedly
wet" voted against Senator Muir
tha's motion TO table that resolution
the number shrinks TO II, barely
enough TO put such a measure
through.
Conceding the senate TO the dry
forces. different situation appears in
the house, where most of the mem
bers appear 10 be in favor or almost
any sort OF anti-saloon legislation
short OF actual statewide prohibition.
Many persons counted upon by the
supporters of the statewide prohibi-
ton bill TO help push the measure
through the house are certain TO back
up on the proposition, some having
already announced that they would
not support IT,
The liquor committee OF the house
Is composed OF wet and dry mem
bers in equal numbers, with Chairman
Tufts-choice OF both the wet inter.
ests and the Anti-Saloon league-occu-
pying the middle ground
Rep. Tufts said Tuesday night that
he had not talked with any member
OF his committee about the matter or
a statewide prohibition bill, declaring
that he preferred TO wait until the
matter was actually before the com
mittee before attempting to sound out
the sentiments OF the members.
II is generally believed that, in view
OF the equal division of sentiment In
the matter, the bill will not be re
ported out of the house committee un-
less IL is apparent that IL has fair
chance OF passage.
Fantastic as it may seem at first
blush. the suggestion OF Rep. Tufts
that a compromise BILL providing for
the prohibition OF the sale of whiskey
and similar strong liquors. but allow.
ing traffic in beer, ale and light wines.
be introduced. is meeting with consid-
erable support in the house. many
members. who have openly announced
their opposition to statewide prohibi-
tion having declared themselves IN IA
vor OF such a bill. Rep. Tufts made
the suggestion with the speciflc un-
derstanding, however. that IL was TO
be taken merely as suggestion and
not as an intimation that he intended
TO introduce such bill. Several
members of the Wayne delegation de-
clared themselves in favor OF such leg
islation.
Senator Stra1ghtS announcement
was q source of considerable surprise,
inasmuch as he had given out state
ments TO the effect that he did not
consider the time ripe for such Dill
during this session. Senator Damon,
one OF his closest friends and his
chief support in the introduction OF
"dry" legislation, admitted today that
Senator Straight had been working on
a statewide prohibition bin for some
time. Senator Straight himself Was
not In the city.
Asked as TO his ppinicp OF Senator
Straight's announcement Tuesday al
ternoon, Gov. Ferris replied:
"Oh, now What's the use OF you
boys asking me 10 discuss such things
before even know for a certainty
that they are TO come up at all?'
BALLENGER.