New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-13
Also Excludes Sugar and
Syrup in Amendment
to Spy Bill
Measure Is a Sham,
La Toilette Declares
Wadsworth Says 1t Will
Turn Beer Drinkers Into
Whiskey Drinkers

MSSninGlons NAY 49, Ht ''io'N
IT,, to-day. BY vote OF IS to 32, passed
=, amendment which forbids the use
- grain, sugar and syrup in the pro-
sBetion Of Intoxicating liquor in any
so,m or Of any kind while the war
l,.,s Later 10 defeated, a. TO 25,
,,obibition Of sale of drinks.
These votes were on amendments TO
II. espionage bin. The long debate
syer Them prevented a final vote on
hat bill, despite the ten-minute rule
vbieh had been imposed by unanimous
consent
Senator Reed. Of Missouri, author OF
,be amendment on the Postoffce bill,
which made no-license states bone dry,
ATTEMPTED TO make this amendment a
,,sl prohibition amendment for the
p,riod OF the war. He would have
inserted language TO make it crime
70 sell or 20 drink any liquid contain
ipc alcohol until peace comes.
II thought the Senator's amend
ment would meet the same happy fate
which his amendment to the Postofhce
bjn met" said Senator Cummins, au-
thor Of the amendment adopted to-day.
q would vote for II in a minute. And
will be willing 10 vote for it as
,.psrste proposition if he will intro
ducs il later. But 1 am not willing TO
risk the defeat Of my amendment by
adding what he desires
Fight Cummins's Amendment
Senator Wadsworth, of New York.
and Senator Underwood, Of Alabama,
fought the Cummins amendment on the
ground that t would turn all the beer
drinkers Of the country into whishey
drinkers
There is another point" said Mr..
Wsdsworth. (which the Senator who
Introduced this amendment does not
esnsider, and that is the contention of
hbor. You are asking labor to do all
!. can during this emergency, whether
!. be in the steel mill or in the coal
mine or in the munition shop, but you
tell the laboring man ny this amend
nent that he shall not have his glass
Of beer when he is through work.
What will happen will be that the
beer drinkers of this country VIII be
tuned into whiskey and gin drinkers.
Ny. Wadsworth then proposed an
amendment which would prevent the
diNilling Of liquor during the war, but
permit a continuance Of brewing.
Senator Reed pointed out that the
amendment would give the constltu-
ents Of the Senators from California a
monopoly Of the intoXicant producing
business" There is nothing in the
amendment to prohibit the making OF
VINE from grapes. and even the forti!i-
cation Of such wines by brandy. II IS
believed also that II would not be con-
s:rued 10 prohibit the making OF
brandy from wine or cider, II no sugar
or syrup was used in the process.
Would Destroy Liquor on Hand
Bot California Senators voted for
the amendment, but despite the fact
hat New York State has large vine
yards, both Wadsworth and Calder
voted against d..
II reply to Mr.. Wadsworth, Mr. Cum
mins said that doubtless ways could be
found to destroy the huge stock OF
distilled liquor now on hand IN TINS
country, and expected TO see legisia-
lion for that purpose.
The text Of the Cummins amendment
as adopted Is as follows:
That on and after Septemhcr ]. 1911.
durug the period OF the war with the I'm
perisl German government, II shall be un-
awful to use or employ directly or m
cirectiy any cereal. grain, sugar or syrup
IN Tie production OF intoxicating liquor IN
any form or Of any kind; provided that
nothing in this section shall prevent the
nse Of sugar or syrup IN the manufacture
o. wines A. now authorized by eXis ting
hw. provided. further. that this section
shall not be construed 20 make uniawiul
The manufacture OF alcohol or intoxicating
hquor for industrial. mechanical. medicinal
tacramental or scientific purposes under
rules and regulations 60 be prescribed Dy
he Secrcta = Of the Treasury.
A violation OF this section shall be pun
hhod by a me OF not more than So.OOo' or
Imprisonment for not more than three
ycars or both
Would Conserve Food Supply
Besides the amendment Of Senator
Esdsworth. many other modifying
smendments were voted down. the FRO
aibiionists voting solidly against max
ing the Cummins amendment either
alder or stronger, having apparently
decided Just what they could get en-
acted. Senator Gronna would nave
changed the amendment with view 10
Sill further conserving the food sup
ply.
Mr. La Toilette denounced the amend
heni as a sham. after the Gronna
modifying amendment was voted down
He declared that the effect OF the
amendment would be 70 destroy the
market for millions Of bushels OF bar
icy which will be produced in the crop
already planted.
Barley Is not used for human food,
ne said, "and the farmers who have
painted II will have no place TO sell II
ms amendment passes. There IS no
rrhheat used in the production of beer.
ne amount of corn used IN its pro-
sae'ion is negligible. The only thing
oat farmers can do with that barley IS
:" iced II 70 their hogs"