Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1917-07-13
BOOZE PLACED IN
WAR PROHIBITION
SENATE VOTED, as TO 81, TO PUT
STOP TO BOOZE MAKING
DURING WAR.
GOVERNMENT SEXES STOCK
Cuts OFF Revenue Source and War
Tax Bill Is Recommitted-Party
Lines Not Drawn-Take
Over Stocks.

Washington.-The senate went on
record Saturday in favor of bone dry
national prohibition during the war,
so far as whiskey and other distilled
beverages are concerned.
Liquor legislation was written into
the food control bill in n of the
senate's bitterest contests, which
would strike at consumption of dis
titled intoxicants by communicating
stocks in bond in addition to prohib-
iting their manufacture or importa-
ton. The beer and wine industries
would be left undisturbed.
Give President Power
In lieu of the section of he house
bill to prohibit the manufacture OF
foodstuffs into beverages of n des-
cription the senate substituted, by a
vote of As to 81, a provision by Sen
ator Robinson prohibiting manufac-
ture and importation of distilled bev-
erages during the war, and added, 65
to IL, a further clause, by Senator
Smoot, directing the President to take
over all distilled spirits in gov
eminent bonded warehouses and pay
for it on the basis Of cost plus 10 per
cent.
The senators comprise both vets
and dries. They opposed the plan for
divergent reasons.
While the final prohibition legisla-
ton will be evolved in conference be-
tween the two houses, it is generally
regarded as possible that the house
will accept the senate's change after
a fight in behalf of the original Sec
ton.
Limited to Stocks. -
The senate provision would limit
consumption to stocks in retailers
hands or withdrawn before the law
goes into effect. Stocks of distilled
beverages in bond we're estimated
at between 100000. 900 and SO0,-
600, 900 gallons and the annual normal
consumption at 120,0 900, 600 gallons.
To purchase this enormous quantity
Of liquor or what is left of it after
Withdrawals in anticipation of the leg
~islation it is estimated that the gov
eminent would have to spend $500,
600, 900 or more. The probable loss
in federal revenue Is placed at from
5000, 900, 900 to $400, 000, 900, although
this as we'll as the cost of purchase
would depend entirely on how much
liquor was withdrawn tax-paid before
the Communicating.
The senate's action promises indefi-
mite delay in %enacting the wal tax
bill, further delay on the food control
bill and indefinite postponment on ad-
journment of congress-. The revised
s1,67O, 00O, 900 war tax bill was with
drawn Immediately following the final
vote upon the liquor question to seek
new sources of event in case taxa
ton on distilled liquors is eliminated.
See Enormous Withdrawals.
Enormous withdrawal Of distilled
liquors from bonded warehouses be-
fore the senate provision could be-
come effective is generally predicted.
It was estimated that manufacturers
and dealers probably could raise
funds enough to withdraw at least
half of the existing supply, or enough
TO meet SuHlpL ueuldnuS III d
year or more.
One feature OF the bill as it now
stands-the prohibition of the manu-
facture of distilled spirits-will not
be subject to change in conference
and therefore is certain to become
law.
A resort to cloture still is threat
ened to hasten action on other dis.
puted sections Of the control bill.