Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-05-24
POLL Shows DRY
BILL WILL PASS
Food Control Measure Fa-
vored by Senators and
Representatives
QUESTION WILL BE
UP TO PRESIDENT

WASHINGTON. May 24.-That
President Wilson's food control bill,
With all the sweeping powers it will
confer on the Presidents food admin
istrator. will pass the House and SEN
etc is indicated by a partial poll OF
Congress taken by Chairman Lever,
OF the House committee on agricul-
ture.
Although Il may be necessary for
the supporters Of the bill TO make
certain minor concessions TO obtain
the support of some of the members
of Congress a survey of the prohibi-
tion sentiment seems % assure that
IL any change whatever is made in
the provision which gives the Presi-
dent power to limit or prohibit the
use OF grains in the manufacture Of
alcohol the amendment will mako the
provision even more drastic than j, is
at present rather than minimize its
effect.
The Level bin as It stands provides
that whenever the President shall
find that the limitation. regulation or
prohibition Of the use of foods. food
materials or feeds in the production
Of alcohol or nOn-alcOholic beverages
or that the reduction Of the alcoholic
content OF any beverage is essential
IN order TO secure an adequate and
continuous supply Of food, he is auth
orized from time TO time to prescribe
and give public notice thereof. the
extent Of the limitation. regulation
prohibition or reduction so neccssi'
tated'
Want Prohibition at Once.
Many OF the most radical prohi-
btiOn members OF Congress do not
want 10 leave the decision with the
President. but prefer that Congress
should take affirmative action at once
They believe the situation warrants
he immediate prohibition OF the use
OF cereals and other foodstuffs in the
manufacture of liquor and they VIII
try to get Congress 10 adopt an
amendment 10 this effect
Representative Howard Of Georgia
win introduce an amendment 20 the
Lever bill which will direct the seiz-
ire Of all cereals, molasses. syrups,
sugars and other food products in
The possession or control of brewer
les and distiileries. Adoption Of this
amendment would take the discretion
airy power entirely from the President
and make It obligatory TO stop the
manufacture OF all kinds OF malt ana
fermented liquors at once.
House Prohibitionists arc bound,
however, not to originate in the
Hou0e any bill which cannot be re-
gardCd as strictly a war measure.
The only exception TO this are bills
having the expressed approval OF the
President So in order for tho House
TO consider legislation designed TO
prohibit the sale os distilled liquors
during the period of the war. a meas
ure which many OF the members wish
10 get through il must first be recon-
mended by the President or must come
20 the House from the Senate. Mem
hers sad frankly last night they had
no hope Of getting through an alb
so'ute prohibition measure unless the
President or the Senate came 10 their
assistance.
With the revenue measure out Of
, he way, tho food bills will be rushed
through as rapidly as possible. The
Dill having 10 do only with the en-
couragement OF production and the
expansion OF the activities OF the DE-
Dartment of Agriculture will receive
irst consideration. and probably will
1e passed by the House this week