Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-01
PRESIDENTS PLEA
Wins DRY CHIEFS
Anti-SaIoon League Not to De.
lay Food Bill With Fight
AGAINST Beer and Wine.
SENATORS TO COMPROMISE

dent Wilson that they do not 3eoparcixe
the speedy passage OF the food control
bill by insisting that it prohibit the
OF beer and wines.
In their ANAL reply to the Presidents
letter OF Friday TO the leagues legis-
lative committee. the prohibitionists
say that they will not offer any OBJ
struction TO the prompt passage OF the
food control bill.
The prohibitionists give notice. In
their letter. however. that they intend
to urge the passage Of legislation pro-
hibitinS the use OF foodstuffs in the
manufacture OF beer and wines. at the
earliest possible date. either in the
form OF a separate bill or as an amend.
ment to other war legislation.
Text of Reply.
Their letter to the President. trans
m!tted to the White House last even
ing. after conferences lasting through
out The day at A 1olio@. League
We have earnestly considered the
statemen. In your letter of yesterday to
the legislative committee OF the Anti
Saloon League of America, that in the
face of the present food crisis you are
greatly concerned lest the early pas
age Of the food administration legisla-
ton now pending in Congress be
jeopardized by a heated and protracted
debate upon certain sections OF the bill
relating to the manufacture of food.
stuffs into intoxicating liquors.
I'VE are aware of the threats made BY
the friends of beer and wine In the
Senate of an INDEFINITE and protracted
flibuster against those provisions OF
the bill We beg to assure you that as
patriotic Americans, determined to up
hold you as n-chief OF the
army and navy in the present war. We
will not for our constituency oner any
obstruction TO the prompt passage Of
the food control bill.
"Of course we cannot presume to in
dictate to members of Congress what
action they should take In view of this
United States They will doubtless act
in accordance with their convictions OF
duty.
quest applies only to the pending food
administration legislation. II will be
our purpose to urge the passage OF
legislation prohibiting the waste OF
foodstuffs in the manufacture OF beer
either in the form of a separate bill or
in connection with other war legisla-
ton.
I'VE assure you OF our purpose as
patriotic American citizens to CO.
operate in every possible way in the
winning of the great war in which our
nation is engaged.
The letter was signed by p A. Baker.
general superintendent: Edwin C. Din
widdle. legislative superintendent, and
James Cannon, jr.. Arthur J. Barton and
Wayne B. Wheeler of the legislative
committee.
Will Make Passage Easier.
The decision of the Anti-Saloon
League not to force the beer and wing,
issue at this time. but to be content with
the prohibition OF the use Of food
stuffs in the manufacture OF distilled
spirits, as contained in the food control
bill, undoubtedly will make the passage
Of the bill through the Senate easier.
Ever since the President made known
his desire that the bill be not delayed
by long prohibition fight in the Sem
ate it has been conceded that the anti
beer and wine provisions of the meas
ure would be stricken out or modfhed
so as to leave it up to the President to
say whether or not the manufacture OF
these beverages shall be continued
The fight last night had narrowed
down to the question whether all refer
ence to beer and wine should be
President should be given authority to
order their manufacture stopped in the
future. further to conserve the food
supply.
Inc prOnlDlt1OnlStS themselves III th0
Senate were split over this question
last night The letter OF the Anti
Saloon League to the President, plainly
stating that 1t is not seeking TO nave
any prohibition relating to beer and
wine retained in the food bill. is likely
to aid in bringing about the total elm
nation of these beverages from the
hill The VETS" of course. wish all
reference to beer and wine stricken out
of the measure.
of the committee on agriculture, mas
drafted an amendment putting the Deer
and wine manufacture in the hands OF
the President. He insisted last night
that it would be adopted.
Senator Chamberlain, in charge OF
the food control BILL has drafted an
amendment eliminating all mention OF
beer and wine. He said he thought TINS
was what the President desired 10
hasten the passage OF the DILL
Committee Meeting Called.
A meeting of the committee on agri-
culture has been called for this morn.
ine and il is expected that an effort
will be made to get together on the
prohibition question.
The amendment drafted by Senator
Chamberlain follows:
the date of the approval OF this act
no person shall use any foods, food ma.
terials or feeds in the production OF
distilIed LIQUORS, except for govern
mental. Industrial. scientific. medicinal
or other non-beverage purposes ANY
person who willfully violates this sec
ton shall. upon conviction thereof. pc
punished by fine not exceeding >o.ooo
or by Imprisonment not more than two
years or BOTH
The bill, in addition to prohibiting
the use of food and feeds in the manu-
facture of distilled spirits. during INC
war gives the President authority 10
commander all or any part OF the DIS
titled spirits now in bond for redtsti!la-
ton the alcohol obtained TO De useo IN
the manufacture of munitions ana Tor
hospital purposes.
Big Stocks in Bond.
Even IL this provision should be res
+.ined in the bill, il is not likely to
ston or lessen to great extent th9
drinking of distilled spirits in tft$
country. unless the war should continu9
for several years. There are Zzo.eoo.oY~
gallons of distilled spirits in bond, az
sarsa Quantities are now being dis<
ind Also. a considerable quantity
may be imported.
M appropriation has been made to
nav for this liquor II the President
should decide to take it. Also II would
cost far more to buy IL and obtain the
alcohol from 1t for munitions than II
world TO obtain the alcohol from other
sources .onn
600 900 and $500. 900, 900 for these dis
TILED spirits, the government would
lose in revenue per year. under the new
var revenue bill now before the Senate
Snance committee about s27s.000,000 II