The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1917-06-24

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fore last midnight.
II an amendment adopted by the
House to the food bill prevails, there
will be no further manufacture Of
alcoholic beverages during the period
OF war. II the President so Wills, the
existing stocks OF distilled spirits
in the bonded warehouses and on the
counters of the wholesalers-will be
commandeered in bulk and not sold
at is or 20 cents per drink.
The House voted for a mandatory
provision against further manufac-
ture. 1t made optional with the
President the coinscation of the
liquors already made.
There is an 'if," of course. The
Senate may amend or reject the
House provision, but in the night
| compartment Of as stirring debate
as that chamber has seen in this war
session. wrote the death warrant OF
the drinks that cheer.
Cider Press Banned.
Under the House bill the farmer
may not maintain a cider press, the
smokestacks OF the breweries will be
smokeless, and the dIstillers will con-
vert their grain bins into empty
stalls.
After writing into the food control
bill q drastic prohibition amendment
the joint product OF Congressman
Barley OF Kentucky and Webb OF
North Carolina, the House passed the
measure by a vote Of 365 to late
last night AIr. Barkley Is co-author
Of the District Of Columbia prohibit
ton bill: Mr.. Webb Is the co-author
OF the webb-Kenyon law denying
Interstate privileges 10 liquor shipped
to dry territory.
Both members fought an uphill
night. but eventually put over" the
prohibitory legislation, which pro-
vides:
That no foodstufs shall hereafter
be used in making alcoholic bever-
ages;
| That the President may requisition
distilled spirits now on hand and util-
ize the same, by rehabilitation Tor
war purposes. The anti-manufactur-
ing clause is absolute and beyond the
discretion Of the President.
Civil Service Positions.
The amendments relating to prohi-
bition overshadowed other changes
in the bill, but the following were
among the important ones:
Persons employed under the food
control bill are subject to civil serv-
ice appointments;
No person employed under the bill
| is to be presumed per Sc to be exempt
from the army draft law;
The entire bill is to cease to be OF
effect when the war between Ger
many and the United States shall be
| terminated;
The food administration bureau is
not to have the "franking privilege.
as proposed in the original bill.
A bitter debate, during which the
lie was passed between Congressman
| Neeker Of Missouri and Kelly OF
PENNSYLVANIA, preceded adoption OF
the prohibition amendment.
The fiery remarks of Congressman
Meeker and Kelly were later stricken
from the Record by a vote of the
House.
There was no roll call on the pro-
hibition section. The amendments
were adopted in committee OF the
whole" on a vote by tellers. and Chair
man Lever, OF the Agriculture Com
mittee, abandoned the fight after II
was apparent the House was determ-
ined on drastic legislation. The bill
as reported contained a mild provis
ion authorizing the President to re-
strict or prohibit further use Of food
stuffs in the manufacture OF intoIi.
cants. There was no mandatory pro
vision.
Vote On Mandatory CIosa-
The vote on the mandatory Bark
lev substitute was 1872 to ia. Con-
Rressman Lenroot's amendment, seek
ing to provide for the wartime manu-
facture OF beer and light wines. was
Dictated 1874 to 124. This amendment
might have carried but for the abb
sence Of some OF the "wets" from the
CITY districts Of New York. Boston.
and Philadelphia. Congressman Sa-
bath Of Illinois, sought TO exempt beer
and wines also. His amendment was
rejected 1873 to IS, and an amendment
NV Mr.. Parker OF New Jersey to strike
out the entire section was defeated
152 TO 1856. Prohibitionists wildly ap.
pIauded each succeeding victory for
the "drys."
The Barkley amendment, adopted
a. a substitute for the original sec
tion bestowing power upon the Presi-
dent 10 restrict use OF foodstuffs for
purpose OF liquor manufacture, reads:
mo person shall use any foods, food
materials. or feeds in the production
Of alcohol, except for Governmental
purposes. Industrial. scientific, medi-
cinal or sacramental purposes, or OF
alcoholic beverages. Any person
who wi,lully violates this section
shall. upon conviction thereof. be
punIshed by a fine not exceeding
IS 600, or by Imprisonment for not
more than two years, or both"
Much whisky In Bond.
After forcing adoption Of the anti
manufacturer amendment, over the
protest of Chairman Lever. OF the
committee on Agriculture, the prohi.
bItionists reached out for existing
stocks OF liquor. During the debate
II was estimated that from 200 ZOO, 900
TO 400. OOo, 900 gallons OF whisky are
now held in bond and by the manu-
facturers and dealers. The Webb
amendment was adopted without a
division. II reads:
That the President is authorized,
II in his opinion II is necessary
10 conserve necessaries. to require
anv person having control OF al
cohoi and distilled spirits to turn
over 70 the Government for use
or redistribution such proportion
~ said alcohol or spirits as the
PresIdent may deem necessary to