The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1917-01-26
"MOists" In Legislature
Face Formidable
Opposition
COMMISSION PLAN
is CRITICISED
Many Liberals Balk At
Creating New State
Department
BY W. T.. CALvoN.

~ ~ ~ y AAfNbNs
(Sfdf> Correspondent Detroit Tfmes)
LANSING. Mich, Jan. 26.-Battle
lines are forming fast In the house
OF representatives over the sort OF
prohibition laws that Michigan IL
20 get In order 20 carry into effect
the prohibition amendment adopted
by the people last November.
Instead OF the previous assurance
that there would be easy sailing for
the Anti-Saloon league bill in tho
house. there now Is general senti-
rnent being expressed that big
fight over the measure is almost a
certainty.
The outlook Is for battle be
tween the "moists" and the bona
drys" with the ranks OF the
"moists" split because OF disagree
ment over the proposal 10 create a
state department OF prohibition and
individual objections 20 a few other
provisions OF the Anti Saloon league
bill
Some OF the "moists" are ex.
pressing the fear that their ranks
may be depleted and those 81 the
bone drys" increased by members
now moist" who Will 20 over 20
the other side on the issue OF Great.
ing the job OF prohibition commits
sioner
While the house is starting TO
argue over the issue. senators are
not 80 closely concerned. as the
senate will wait FOR the house TO
send over whatever kind OF a dry
bill IL finally agrees on. before
tackling the problem That. az
least Is the present plan II might
q changed later II the house fight
becomes PROLONGED.
The house liquor committee al.
ady has begun 20 look over the
,ro bills presented 10 1.-THE Wiley
or Anti Saloon league bill. and the
Macarthur. or bone dry bin II is
expected that II viii take the com
mittee members "a few days 10 d.
gest the contents ~ the two bills
and nEure on how they viii take
up actual consideration OF the bill
they will report out 10 the house
Under the circumstances. it really
viii not make So much difference
q what tho committee reports. as the
house viii settle for itself each foa.
ture of the bill ~ passes.
The house committee decided to
hold all sessions on the bills jointly
with the senate liquor committee.
The meetings will be held on Tues.
day. Wednesday and Thursday aft
crnoons, following the sessions Of
The two houses. until the commit.
tees have finished work on the
bills The initial meeting will be
held next Tuesday afternoon
Rep. Lewis. OF Van Buren, coun
~ the original dry county OF Mich.
igan. Is chairman OF the house
liquor committee To him has been
delegated the making of all an.
nouncements regarding the progress
OF ine CpUllnllle' WoTk. rep. Lew u
stated his belief today that the
house will pass whatever bill the
committee reports out. tho he>ex.
poets there may sc arguments over
some OF the provisions.
Lieut. Gov Dickinson. the dry
leader IN tho legislature. will keep
close watch on the progress OF the
Joint committee work on the moist
and bone dry bills. and Will deliver
n message on prohibition 90 the sen
ate about the time that body Is to
take up the bill. In the event that
the house members get into n fangle
over the provisions OF the bill. the
lieutenant. governor favors the pro-
duction OF compromise bill In the
senate and it's passage there. TO be
sent over 10 the house instead of
waiting for the latter to conclude
its own bills complete provisions.