The Birmingham age-herald., 1917-07-10
Opposition to Prohibition Feature of Measure Is Growing and Defeat
 Threatened
THE DEMOCRATS NAME STEERING COMMITTEE
 TO REVISE SECTIONS
It Developes In Senate Un- less This Is Done That Absolute Failure
 Is Possible

" ooAAA1AS ecti, GAy O' A V currence of opposition to prohibition legislation writ ten into the food control bill, together with stubborn protests against the pro- posals for government regu- lation of the iron, steel, cot ton and other industries, completely upset the plans of Senate leaders today and promises to force important revision of the measure.
 Failing again to secure unanimous consent for limiting debate or setting time for vote, the leaders sub mitted the motion, held in reserve for several days, to invoke for the first time the Senate's cloture rule. They also arranged democratic steering committee meeting for tomorrow to draft changes in the bill so as to make sure it will not be defeated when final vote is secured.
 sThe cnotdre motion, submitted by sena- tor Chamberlain as manager of the bill. went over until Wednesday under the rules. It bears the signatures of 21 sen- ators, all but three of them democrats For it's adoption a two-thirds vote will be requested. Before it comes up, how ever, the democratic leaders hope to ef- feet such changes as will sa tisfy the bills opponents
 OPPOSITION GROWS
 In open debate and many private con- ferences during the day opposition grew against the measure. Criticism was di- rected particularly against Senator Shoots amendment adopted Saturday providing for government purchase of all distilled spirits in bonded warehouses, but many other sections of the bill came in for attack.
 At tomorrows steering committee meeting plans will be considered to elimi- nate steel, iron, cotton and some other products from the government control provisions of the bill and to amend the Shoot provision. The leaders are dis cussing the advisability of recommitting the bill to the agriculture committee with instructions to make these changes.
 SAY UNCONSTITUTIONAL
 The prohibition question was discussed at length in todays debate. with leaders of both vets and drys declaring it uncon- stitutional in it's provisions to give dis tillers a 'just and fair compensation for liquor to be communicated. Senator Kenyon, who voted for the amendment and has been prominent in the prohibition movement, told the Senate the provision was not worth the paper 1t is written on.' Senators Shields, Reed and others also declared the courts and not Con- gress have power to fix the distillers' compensation.
 Senator Nelson, who had previously announced his support of the bill, today declared that in view of it's effect on wheat prices he was in grave doubts as to the advisability of it's passage. Sena- tor Wadsworth objected to the proposal to prevent members of voluntary govern ment commissions from selling their own products to the government, while Sem ator Townsend condemned men who "fatten upon war contracts" Senator Penrose denounced the bill as awkward and absurdly ungramma tieal and dis grace to a crowd of school boys in some respects.
 CHAMBERLAIN WANTS END
 It was to bring the bitter contest to head that Senator Chamberlain just be- fore the Senate recessed tonight, sought unanimous consent agreements to take
 (Ccntinued on Pnge T,vo)