The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-14
PROHIBITION MEASURE
MEETS WITH APPROVAL
Bill VIII Not Only Preclude Manufsc.
turc Of Whiskcy, but Wines
and Beer a. Well.
FOR CONSERVATION OF FOOD
Would Empower President Wilson 70
Forbid the Use OF ''Periahable Food
or Food Products" In Manufacture
of Intoxicants.

Washington, June 13.--war prohi-
bition received decided encouragement
today when the senate agricultural
committee agreed upon a measure
that not only precludes the manufac-
ture of whiskey and brandy. but beer
and wines as well.
1t is offered by Senator Gore as an
amendment T. the war revenue bill
Beer is prohibited because the
president can forbid the use of non
perishable products BILE for foods
and feeds" in the manufacture of in
toxcating liquors for beverage pur-
poses. Here the worda Intoxicating
liquors are used instead of distilled
spirits, as In previous bills. The COM
mittee considers that grain and barley,
which enter into the beer manufac-
ture. are non perishable.
The president is empowered to pro-
fihit wine manufacture. II he con-
siders this essential to food conserva-
ton. This authorization is included
In paragraph which allows him to
forbid the use Of "perishable food or
food products" in the manufacture of
intoxicants. Grapes are the perish
able food here considered.
The bill reads: That during the
continuance of the present war be-
tween the United States and the i'm
perial German government it shall be
unlawful for any person, firm or cor
poration TO use in the manufacture
OF intoxicating liquors for beverage
purposes any non perishable products
suitable for foods or feeds: provided.
that the president is empowered,
whenever he shall find it essential
to conserve the food or food supplies
OF the country, to restrict or prohibit
the use of perishable food or food
products in the manufacture of in
toxicating liquors for beverage pur-
poses.
Can Commander spirits.
| Another section of the bill provides
that the president is authorized and
directed to commander any or al
distilled spirits in bond at the date OF
the approval of this act for redistirla-
ton, insofar as such rehabilitation
may be necessary to meet the require
ments OF the government In the
manufacture OF munitions and other
military and hospital supplies or in
so far as such rehabilitation may be
dispensed with the necessity OF utiliz-
! ing products and materials suitable
| for foods and feeds in the future
manufacture of distilled spirits for
the purposes herein enumerated"
THE president shall determine and
/ pay just com pen Satf0n lot the ais"
| titled spirits so Communicated and ii
the price is not satisfactory to the
owner he may sue for what further
! sum he considers adequate.
This Is considered easily the most
drastic of all liquor legislation thus
| far contemplated. with of course the
| exception OF. nation wide prohibition
measures. The dry forces will back
| it ito the limit" and leave considera-
ton of their straight out bills until
| the decisive December session.
| Mr.. Gore has more than one means
of attacking He will push wthis bill
as an amendment to the war revenue
measure. But II 1t Is not successful
! there he will urge II as part OF the
| food legislation. II 1t Is adopted the
! 1890 900, 900 supposed to be collected by
| taxation from liquors will be left out
| of the war revenue bill.
Several senators In the committee
voted against the. form of the. bill,
They are firm in the belief that while
whiskey manufacture should be prohib-
tied. the manufacture OF wines and
beers should be allowed These sena-
tors included Wadsworth. of New York
Smith. of Georgia. and Ransdell. OF
Louisiana.