Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-17

creases be modified and other levies SUBJ
stituted. There was dwindling attend
ance and an apparent lessenipg of inter-
est, however and Democratic Leader
Kitchen said tonight he hoped to close
general debate Monday night and bring
the bill to a vote not later than Thurs
day.
RAINEY DEFENDS THE BILL
Representative Rainey of Illinois. rank
ing democratic member of the ways and
means committee, took up most Of the
time to-day defending the measure. The
increases in second class postage rates
were attacked from many quarters and
Mr.. Rainey said the committee simply
was trying to get back part Of the an
nual loss which the government sustained
by carrying newspapers and periodicals
through the mails at one cent a pound.
STRIKE OUT CENSORSHIP.
BY a non partisan vote of 80 to IS the
Senate Saturday afternoon struck from
the espionage bill all reference to censor
ship. Though the administration has
thrown the full weight of its influence
on the side of repressive censorship
provision. 16 democrats Joined with q re-
publicans to eliminate the provision,
while q democrats and II republicans
voted to retain it.
The Cunmins-Thomas amendment
adopted Saturday had already greatly
softened the provision as drafted by At
torney-G General Gregory. But the original
measure, as we'll as Mr.. Gregory's atti-
tude toward the subject. had aroused q
storm of opposition all over the country
France; in no other way will you get en-.
thusiasm in this country" said Repre-
sentative Reavis Of Nebraska, who told
the House there was apathy throughout
the United States concerning the wal
with Germany.
ATTACK ON TAX BILL.
The wartime tax schedules of the s, 800.
100000 revenue bill were attacked az
threatening the life of many industrie.
by score Of witnesses Saturday befor'
the Senate finance committee. and wer'
defended by House leaders during debat'
on the other side of the Capitol as abso
} lutey necessary to preserve the life o
the nation.
Manufacturers, jobbers, and retailers II
many lines touched by the new levie
fiocked to the Senate committee hearing
to protest Among them were high ON
Gals Of some of the country's leading in
dustrial concerns. Almost without excep
} ton they condemned the House bill a
unjust. discriminatory. and likely to re
| suit in the suspension of many of tn
) smaller business houses and severe losse
. to the others.
The third day Of debate in the Hous
brought further protests from member
: and MANY suggestions that the heavier in
. that carried the whole provision to de-
struction.
Among the senators voting to elin1inat
the censorship was Senator Page of Vel
a mont.
The action Of the Senate throws the cor
n troversy into conference. as the Hous
I has adopted a censorship provision milde
n than Mr.. Gregorys graft. but still obje'
{ tIonable to advocates of freedom of tn
n press. As the record stands, the chanct
i are that the measure will be dropped
n conference unless tho administration SUI
Q ceeds better there than in the open sci
sions of either House. When the rel
test of strength came in the House tt
provision was stricken out, just as 1t WI
g in the Senate but later in the day. whe
q many members had left the chamber,
i was inserted again In a slightly differe'
II form.
70 NO GRAINS FOR INTOXICANTS
Most of Saturdays debate related to g
. amendment offered by Senator Cummil
d. u
! country's food supply during the war
a prohibiting, after September l. the use
~ grain or cereals in the manufacture
l. intoxicants. This amendment. after val
l. Gus notifications, was finally adopted
l. the non-partisan vote of 38 to 49, II
rs amendment, as adopted. reads
Is That on and after September I. 10
A. during the period Of the war with 4
ID imperial government of Germany, it sh;
u be unlaw ful to use or employ, directly
indirectly, any cereal. grain, sugar
syrup in the production Of intoxica
-, LIQUOR in any form or any kind: provide
n that nothing In this section shall preve
A. the use Of sugar or syrup In the man
c. facture of wines. as now authorized
i'll existing laws; provided. further. that Il
section shall not be construed to ma
te unlawful the manufacture of alcohol
in intoxicating liquor for industri
e. mechanical. medicinal, sacramental
a scientific purposes under rules and regu
n tons to be prescribed by the secretary
se the treasury.
d. A violation of this section shall be pu
he ished by fine of not more than 5000
J. Imprisonment for not more than thu
81 years or both.
en- There Is little likelihood that L
amendment, which corresponds to no
he ing in the House bill. will pass SAT-
,at through the hands of the committee
he conference. Sentiment in the House !
Ior already shown itself strongly agai
to prohibition Of any sort. and t
measure, which would strike down est,
nshed industries without compensat
o. md almost without warning, Is part