New-York tribune., 1917-06-30
Urges Exemption of Beer
and Wine in Senate
Food Bill
Willing to Shoulder
Burden Himself
In Plea for Prompt Action,
Declares Compromise
Must Be Reached

Washington. June 90 Intervention
Of President Wilsop to-day checked the
bone dry" national prohibition move
ment in Congress. Confinement Of pro
hibition legislation to distilled bev-
erages without interference with manu-
facture OF beer and wines, it is gen
orally agreed, will result.
Prohibition leaders we're asked by
the President, in order 20 prevent DE-
Icy in passing the food control bill, 10
drop their tight against the manufact-
IRE Of beer. wines and other light in
toxicsnts With formal response
from the "drys" deferred, Senate lead
ers of all factions quickly reached al
understanding TO limit absolute pro-
hibition 20 distilled spirits.
President Wilson exchanged letters
with the Rev. Or. James Cannon. chair
man OF the National Anti-Saloon
Leagues legislative committee, and
called Senate leaders 10 the White
House in his effort TO harmonic dif-
fcrences and smooth the way for final
enactment OF the food measure.
Bone dry legislation was written
into the bill before il passed the House.
and tho Senate Agriculture Committee
amended the provision to prohibit the
manufacture of distilled spirits, but
empowered the President TO permit the
making of beer and wine.
Presidents Letter
The Presidents letter 70 DR.. Can
non follows:
am very glad 20 respond TO the
request OF Senator Martin, the Demo-
cratic floor leader in the Senate,
that ] give TO your legislative com.
mittee an expression OF my opinion
with regard 20 the wisest and most
patriotic policy to be pursued toward
the food administration legislation
now pending in the Congress. re.
gard the immediate passage of tn,
bill ss Of vital consequence TO tho
safety and defence Of the nation. u
Time IS Of the essence: and yet it
has become evident that heated and
prot.ac:ed debate win delay the pas
sage Of the bin Indefinitely if tho
provisions affecting tho manufacture
cf c,or and wines are retained and
insi.:ed upon.
fl the7c circumstances | have not ,
hasitaJed 20 say 20 members OF the
Senate Tho have been kind enough
20 consult me that il would undoubt-
cdly be in the public interest in this
very critical matter II the friends OF
hose provisions should consent 20
their elimination from the present
ressurc. Feeling that your commit
tce Is hctIatcd by the same patriotic
motives which inspire me, am con-
fdent tha. these considerations will
scon Co you. as they seem 10 me, 20
be imperative.
Aua-saloon League representatives
to-HiSu, replied that. white recognizing
'ihe force Of al appeal from the Pres
.da1. and commander in CHIEF Of the
Amy and navy ia time Of var" a def
mite answer would be deferred until
alter conference "a IN prohibition lead
ers in the senate and House.
Prohibitionists Yield
Informal agreement. however. was
reached by the prohibition forces in
,he Senate for virtual abandonment Of
The fight 20 include beer and wines in
the LIQUOR legislation. Their future
,,r1.c hl.s usill ba ItrortaI
curing an amendment authorizing the
President 10 suspend manufacture Of
malt fermented and vinous bever-
ages in his discretion. President viii
son told Senator'S with whom he corr
ferred that as q compromise and to Sc
cure action upon the food control leg
sla;ion he would be willing to have
Congress clothe him with such author
ty.
A copy Of the Presidents letter 10
the Anti-Ssloon League leader was
sent 20 Senator Martin. and the Senate
seethed all day with conferences toward
a compromise. Tonight the so-called
dry" leaders in Congress conferred.
and IL was expected that tomorrow
there would be evolved definite plan
Of action.
Early Action Looked For
The prohibition leaders admitted that
F nc Presidents action eliminated beer
and wires from the programme. Be-
fore the President acted The Senate
mad been most evenly divided on the
/ question OF beer and wines. Several
Senators Who were strongest for their
inclusion So-night announced that they
would acceGe 10 the Presidents views.
Although others promised 10 continue
the fight, the majority of prohibition
sentiment was in favor OF trying for
no more than an authorization for the
President TO stop brewing ard wine
making.
Passage by the Serate Of the food
measure early next week was conf
dently expected through the prospect
i've elimination Of The great contention
over liouor. The general legislation
will be taLca up in detail tomorrow
and by rUc, day leaders eXpec; insl
yotc. House leaders. active in to-day's
conferences. predicted hat body would
accede :, the Presidents desire as to
beer and wines.
Gore Drafts Substitute