The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1917-06-29
WILSON FIGHTS
SENATE PROH|S
OPPOSES LEGISLATION AGAINST
LIQUOR AS ENDANGERING
EARLY PASSAGE OF BILL
WANTS MODIFICATION
Also Would be Disturbing Factor in
Economic Life of Nation and Cause
Discomfort Among Workers When
Aid is So Sorely Needed.

Washington, June ga determined
effort to modify the food bill now before
the senate so that it will be free from
any prohibition provisions, or at least
so as to grant the president authority
to permit the use Of foodstuffs in the
| manufacture of beer and light wines
was begun today by the administration
when President Wilson conferred on
the question with Senator Martin. the
majority leader, and Senator Gerry Of
Rhode Island
Other conferences probably will follow
quickly. The president was understood
to feel that the insistence of some sen.
ators on bone dry legislation endan.
gered the early passage Of the food bill
which he is anxious to see become a
law as soon as possible.
Believes il Dangerous
Administration leaders were said al.
SO to feel that such legislation would
be a disturbing factor in the economic
life Of the country and might lead 10
serious discomfort among the workers.
whose wholehearted support is neces-
sary to win the war.
The president realizes that since pro-
hibition has been made an issue in
congress, it is almost impossible to hope
for the elimination of some sort of pro.
hibitory provision from the food bill.
Although officials do not pretend 10
speak for him, it was understood that
fhe president would be willing to ac-
Soe,.s -" under which the use Of
:uit in the manufac-
ture OF ~. alcohol was forbidden.
but with authority given him to per-
NIT their use in making beer and light
wines.
Importance of this measure has over.
shadowed many others in the presi.
dents mind, and there were indications
today that every effort would be used
to have congress realize what the ad.
ministration considers the danger OF
radical and sweeping legislation at this
time.
What Phelan Says.
President Wilson, according to Sem
ator Phelan OF California. with whom
he also conferred regarding prohib.
ton Legislation, desires that he have
authority to stop the manufacture OF
malt and vinous liquors in case Of
emergency, but does not believe imme
date prohibition Of the manufacture is
necessary or desirable.
Amendment BE Offered.
An amendment to meet the presi.
dents wishes, Senator Phelan said.
would be offered, probably next week.
The president feels that such action
ought to satisfy the prohibitionists as
well as all others. If he is given author.
ity and full responsibility If he deems
II necessary in any emergency 10 pro.
hibit further manufacture of beer and
wines" said Senator Phelan. but he
does not believe It is necessary to imme.
diately cut off the use OF beer and other
beverages containing little alcohol"
President Wilson expressed to Sena.
tor Martin his hope for prompt action
upon the bill. and anxiety over the pros.
poets Of delay from the prohibition Is.
sue. The president. II was said. as a
compromise on prohibition. suggested
the plan TO give him authority and re.
sponsibility to decide whether beer and
wine making shall continue.
Opposes Suggestion.
Il told the president | was against
such procedure" said Senator Martin.
II said congress itself has the respon.
sibility and should act-not pass II
along to the president"
Senator Phelan. however, positively
stated that the president. in favoring
legislation giving him authority to eth.
er continue or stop manufacture OF malt
and vinous beverages, is opposed to i'm.
mediate cessation.
An amendment introduced by Sena.
tor Lewis OF Illinois would limit alco.
holic content OF intoxicating beverages
to two per cent after September l.
President Would Not Divide Country.
Postmaster General Burleson. who
often represents the president In con.
ferring with congressman. went to the
capitol today and urged several senate
leaders to modify the bill TO permit
manufacture OF beer and wines.
The postmaster geenral was said TO
have told senator's the president does
not desire to disturb or divide public
sentiment during the war by cutting off
consumption OF light alcoholic bever.
ages In general use. and that such nc.
tion Is unnecessary as It would con.
serve comparatively small supplies OF
foodstuffs.
The provision 20 stop manufacture OF
distilled spirits, Mr., Burleson told sen.
ators, was not Objectionable to the pres.
ident.
After returning TO the capitol from
the White House. Senator Garry. who
favors brewing and wine making and
stopping distinlling, said he believed the
president would exercise sound hdg.
ment' on the whole prohibition issue.
Congress May Obey.
Senator sheppard. a leading prohibl.
tionist. and who prompted the commit.
tees proposal 20 stop manufacture OF
both distilled spirits and beer. said that
l a