The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-06-30
WILSON CHECKS BONE
DRY MOVE IN SENATE
Sees Serious Delay Through
Long Debate in Passage Of
Food Control Bill.
PROHIBITIONISTS WILL
COMPLY WITH WISHES
BY Associated Press.

ny NSSoCidteO SreSS.
Washington. June 29,--lntervcntion
OF President Wilson today checked the
bone dry" national prohibition move
ment In congress. Confinement of pro-
hibition legislation to distilled bever-
ages without Interference with manu-
facturc of beer and wines ii is gcncr-
ally agreed will result.
Prohibition leaders were asked by
the president in order to prevent delay
In passing the food control bill. to drop
their fight against the manufacture Of
beer, wines and other light intoxiCants
With formal response from the
'drys' deferred. senate leaders of all
factions quickly reached an under
standing to limit absolute prohibition
to distilled spirits.
Anxious for Enactment.
President Wilson exchanged letters
with the Rev Or. James Cannon, chair
man of the National Anti Saloon
leagues legislative committee. and
called senate leaders to the White
House IN his effort to harmonizc diff
fcrenccs and smooth the way for final
enactment of the food measure. "Bonc
dry legislation was written into the
bill before it passed the house and the
senate agriculture committee amended
the provision to prohibit the manufac-
ture of distilled spirits. but empowered
the president to permit the making of
beer and wine.
In his letter to DR.. Cannon, the pres
ident said Senator Martin. the Demo
cratic leader. had asked him to express
| his views on the food Liquor legislation
! regarding the "wiscst and most patri-
| otic policy to be pursued and added
Fears Long Debate.
II regard the immediate passage of
the bill as of vital consequence to the
| safety and defense OF the nation. Time
| is OF the essence and yet 1t has be
| come evident that heated and protract-
cd debate will delay the passage of tho
bill indefinitely If the provisions af-
| fecting the manufacture of beer and
wines are retained and insisted on.
| In these circumstances, | have not hes
| itated to sav to members of the SEN
ate who have been kind enough to con-
\ suit me that it would undoubtedly be
In the public interest in this very criti-
| cal matter If the friends of those pro-
visions should consent to their climi =
| nation from the present measure. Feel
| ing that your committee is actuatcd by
| the same patriotic motives which In
| spire me, | am confident that these
considera tions will seem to you as they
seem to me to be imperative"
Anti Saloon league representatives
| tnnityht a,,linl n bi1n "a p | n Il
"thc force of any appeal from the pres
ident and Comandcr-in- chief OF the
ident and COMMUNICATIVE chief OF the
mite answer would be deferred until
after conference with prohibition lead
crs in the senate and house.
Would Take Authority.
Informal agreement. however. was
reached by the prohibition forces in tho
senate for virtual abandonment of tho
fight to include beer and wines in tho
liquor legislation. Their future effort.
probably will be directed to sccurinl
an amendment authorizing the presi
dent to suspend manufacture Of malt
fermcnted and vinous beverages in hi,
discretion. President Wilson told sen
ators with whom he conferred that n!
n compromise and to secure action
upon the food control legislation h'
would be willing to have congress
clothe Him with such authority.
4 copy Of the presidents letter to tn
Anti Saloon league leader was sent 4
Senator Martin and the senate scethc'
all day with conferences toward com
promise. Tonight the So-callcd dry
leaders in congress conferred and
was expected that tomorrow thcr
would be evolved a definite plan q
action.
The prohibition leaders admittc
that the presidents action eliminate
Continued on Page Scvcn.)