Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-06-25


the distribution of food, feed and fuel
for war purposes and appropriating
$751;, 100000 for its enforcement and
administration, was passed by the
House late Saturday night after far
reaching prohibition provisions had
been written into it.
The vote was 365 to 5, Representa-
tives McLemore, Slayden and Young of
Texas, Democrats. and Meeker, Mis-
souri,, and Ward. New York, Republi-
cans, voting in the negative.
Washington, June 24.-Wartime pro-
hibition, so far as the further manu-
facture of intoXicants is concerned and
the bestowal of authority upon the
President to requisition all existing
stocks of distilled spirits for purposes
Of redistribution, were voted into the
food control bill by the House of Rep
resentatives Saturday night.
Over riding the milder provisions of
the bill as reported by the committee
on agriculture. the Prohibitionist ele-
ment of the House took command of
the situation and rejected every COM
promise suggested, either by the franz
ers of the bill or by the avowed VETS"
Prob ibition Mandatory
An effort to soften the prohibition
amendment by providing that the manu-
facturers of light beers and wines might
continue was defeated amid cheers and
jeers o. the prohibitionists.
AS rewritten the food bill provides that
no foods or food materials shall here
after be used in the manufacture Of al
coholic beverages. After inserting this
drastic amendment the prohibitionists put
through the Webb amendment clothing
the President with the authority to seize
whiskey and other intoxicants now in
bond. and to redistill such intoXicants for
war purposes.
The prohibition as to future manufac-
ture is mandatory. The seizure provision
is discretionary with the President
One of the bitterest debates ever held
in the House. which reached it's height
when the lie was passed between Repre-
sentative Jacob E. Meeker, Missouri Re
publican. and Clyde Kelley. Pennsylvania
Democrat. preceded the votes. The re-
marks of these two members were eX-
plunged from the Record on a formal vote
of the House.
Mr. Barley of Kentucky offered the
prohibition amendment which was adopt
ed as a substitute for section Is Of the ad-
n1inistration bill. The original section
gave the President authority to limit or
restrict the amount of grain and 1000
stuffs used in the manufacture OF alco-
holic beverages The Barley substitute
struck out all discretionary language ana
wrote into the bill the following manda-
tory section. with penal clause attached:
mo persons shall use any foods. food
materials or feeds in the production
Of alcohol, except for government, IN
dustrial. scientific, medicinal or sacra-
mental purposes. or OF alcohonc peNel
ages Any person who wilfully Nlolates
this section shall. upon conviction
thereof, be punished by fine not ex-
ceeding $4,000 or by imprisonment Tor
rot more than two years, or both.
The vote on this substitute was ~
to ia. It was taken in committee OF
the whole by tellers, but there was
little likelihood that the House Will
overturn the action on a roll call vote.
The prohibit;onist vote grew larger
when amendments were offered to
weaken the Barklev substitute, but the
Lenroot amendment. providing for the
manufacture Of beers and light wines
was defeated by narrower margin,
1?4 to 124.
An amendment by Mr. SABBATH Of H.
linois. also proposing to. exempt wines
and beer from the prohibition section
was defeated. 1873 to IS. A motion by
Mr. Parker Of New Jersey to strike out
the entire section as amended failed
by a vote Of 49, to 1876
Wildly Enthusiastic Scenes
AS the prohibitionists won on each
succeeding vote, their cries of victory
became louder and wildly enthusiastic
scenes were recorded.
After forcing adoption Of the anti
manufacture amendment over the pro-
test of Chairman Lever of the COM
mittee on agriculture. the prohibition
lists reached out for existing stocks Of
liquor. During the debate it was esti-
mated that from 200,000,0 600 to 900, 900, :
600 gallons of whiskey are now held in
bond by the manufacturers and deal
ers. The Webb amendment was adopt
ed without a division.
When the amendment was first Offer
ed by Mr.. Webb a point of order was
sustained against it on the ground that
1t was not germaine. Subsequently Mr..
Barley framed a prohibition amend
ment that came within the purview of
the bill and after the more sweeping
Barley amendment had been adopted,
Mr.. Webb again proposed his amend
ment applying to existing stocks.
Chairman Lever of the committee on
agriculture eventually opposed no objec-
ton to the Webb amendment since the
House had emasculated the original sec
ton 10 Of the bill. Mr.. Webb offered
1t as section 13-A."
This amendment was clearly out Of
order to the original section and the
chair properly held to the effect" said
Mr.. Lever. resignedly. Il shall offer no
objection to it as a separate section"
The House then adopted it by a viva
voce vote and the prohibitionists staged
another demonstration.
The nti-prohibitionists contended
that by adopting the Barley amend
ment the House would prohibit the
manufacture Of beers and wines. but
would permit the nation to consume
800, 900. 900 gallons Of whiskey and dis
titled spirits already manufactured.
Making Beer Man Take Whiskey
You are making the man who wants
drink of beer take a drink Of whs-