Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-02-22
SIGNAL VICTORY
FOR PROHIBITION
Bone Dry" Bill Passes National
Senate-President Likely
to Sign Bill Soon.
VOTE IS 3i3 TO IL.
Mensnse hn;srs an Ironclnd Barrier
against tHr Importation cf Liquor
Into Any Prohibition state.
VOTE is 3i9 TO IL.

Into Any Prohibition state.
Washington, Feb. .l,-.Absoiut, prohiti
ton legislation took its longest forward!
stride in the nations history to-day when
the House. after two hours OF uproarious
debate, approx by Il four-to -one major
ity, Senate measure which would raise
an ironclad barrier against importation
OF liquor into prohibition States. 1t is ox.
pected to receive the approval of Prcs-
dent Wilson within u week, adding to the
bone dry territory about one third of
continental United States.
Tho provision is regarded as the most
far-reaching that could be enacted by the
federal government and as sweeping as
would be possible under any method
short of a national prohibition amend
ment. 1t would cut off entirely LIQUOR i'm
portations, amounting now to millions of
dollars annually. into the large number
of States which have forbidden manufac-
ture or sale. but have permitted importa-
ton for personal use
RESULT BRINGS CHEERS.
Advocates Of prohibition divided among
themselves over the expediency of the
step. some friends of the cause declaring
so drastic law would have a feactionary
effect. In the same way those who have
opposed prohibition were not unanimous
in opposition when the vote was taken
The roll call brought cheers and cries of
bone dry" from all parts Of the House.
however. and the result was greeted with
noisy demonstration.
The vote as officially announced was
S21 to 20. but recheck of the roll call
changed it to 319 to 72 Party lines were
completely broken down and numerous
representatives from prohibition States
were recorded in the negative So large
n vote seldom is recorded on any meas
ure.
LIQUOR ADS BARRED.
A provision barring liquor advertise
ments from the mails in States that pro-
hibits such advertising is included in
the measure. which came before the
House as rider to the annual post
| office appropriation bill inserted by the
Senate last week on motion of Senator
Reed. by a vote of IS to II Although
the appropriation bill will so to confer
ence before the House disagrees to othe,
Senate amendments there is little possi-
| bility that the prohibited amendment,
| concurred in without change. will be
altered. Members of Congress are taking
| II for granted that President Wilson will
approve it.
| Although some members had given j,
as their opinion that the legislative fea-
lures added to the postal bill would not
be effective until July l. senators and re j.
resentatives who are considered authori-
ties said tonight that all the Legislative
riders. including the Reed prohibition
amendment. undoubtedly would become op.
erative as soon as the President has sign.
ed the measure.
DRY" ADVOCATES JUBILANT.
Dry advocates were iubilant tonight
Representative Webb of North Carolina
father of the resolution for a national pro.
hibition amendment declared the over.
whelmng affirmative vote had killed the
States rights argument. and that the ma.
tional amendment. already reported fav.
orably. certainly would pass the House d,
this session. The national legislative com
mittee of the Anti-Saloon League ISSUED
a statement saying to-days action had
cleared the decks for the nationa
amendment.
| Many OF the wet advocates particularly
those with brewers among their constitu
ents. also declared themselves much
pleased with the outcome They are un
derstood to have been in favor Of tho
resolution. both because it would cur
tail the so-called mail order business car
ried on by houses dealing in spirituou.
liquors. and y cause it might preven,
States now wet from going dry and indeh
nitely postpone nationwide prohibition.
THE STATES AFFECTED.
In several States the Reed am.ndmen
would anticipate action by the State Leg
iislatures. Arkansas. Arizona. Idaho
Montsna, Oregon. Tennessee and Wash
ington all have bone dry laws alrcad.
in operation or to become effectiv,
shortly. Utah has enacted a Law effec
tive August /. The Legislatures of Kan
sas and South Dakota have sent "bon
dry" bills to their Governors for sigma
ture.
Bone dry" measures an pending viii
some prospect OF passage in Colorado
Iowa, Mississippi South Carolina, Nortl
Carolina, Oklahoma and Michigan. and
bone dry" measure for Alaska has beel
favorably reported in Congress.
or all tho southern States liquor opul'
be rent into only four under tho ney
, federal regulation. They are Florida
Louisiana, Texas and Kentucky. Abou
a score Of other local option States vii
in no way- be affected. 1t Is pointed ou
that the amendment will not operate L
bar shipments into dry territory In locn
; cotton States. referring cn!y TO State
: entirely dry.