The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1917-07-11
bone Dry PROHIBITION.
TO FOOD BILL COW
EItS ONLY DISTILLED III.
QUORS.
Scnatc's Provision Would Limit Con-
sumption to Stock I'm Retailers
Hands, Government to Buy Bonded.

went on record today in favor OF
bone dry" national prohibition dur
ing the war. SO far as whiskey and
other distilled beverages are concern
cd.
Liquor legislation was written into
tho food control bill In one of the
senate's bitterest contests. which
would strike at consumption of dis
titled intoxicants by communicating
stocks in bond in addition to abso-
lutely prohibiting their manufacture
or importation. The beer and wine
Industries would be left undisturbed
While. the final prohibition legisla-
tion will be evolved in conference be.
tween the two houses. 1t Is generally
regarded as probable that the house
will accept the senate's change after
a fight in behalf of its original Sec
tion.
The senate provision would limit
consumption to stock In retailers
hands or withdrawn before the law
goes into effect. Stocks of distilled
beverages In bond were estimated to-
night as between 200. 900. 900 and $780,
100000 gallons. and the annual nor
NAL consumption at 120.00O,0O0 gal
Ions. To purchase this enormous guam
tity of liquor. or what Is left of it, af-
ter Withdrawals In anticipation of the
legislation. II is estimated the gov
ernment would have to spend from
$500. 100000 to $1,000. 900. 900. The
probable loss in federal revenue is
placed at from $500. 900. 900 to $780,
100000 although this as we'll as the
cost of purchase would depend entire
ly upon how much liquor was with
drawn tax-paid before the command
eering.
The senate's action promises indeH-
mite delay in enacting the war tax
bill. further delay on the food con-
troll bill and indefinite postponement
OF adjournment of congress. The re-
vised $1.67O. 100000 war tax bill was
Immediately after the final
vote upon the liquor question to seek
new sources of revenues In case taxa
ton on distilled liquors is eliminated.
The senate's vote to have the gov
ernment virtually lay, for industrial
purposes and thus withdraw for con-
sumption or evenue purposes. the
great stocks of distilled liquors held
In bond followed rejection OF a pro-
posal to deal with beers and wines. a
proposal to authorize the president to
manufacture of the light"
being defeated.
Immediate and probably enormous
OF distilled liquors from
bonded warehouses before the senate
provisions could become effective was
predicted tonight. It was
manufacturers and dealers
could probably raise funds enough to
withdraw at least half of the existing
supply.
One feature of the bill as It now
prohibition of the manu-
facture of distilled spirits-will not
be subject to change in conference
and therefore is certain to become
law.
A resort to cloture is still threat
ened to hasten action on other dis
puted sections OF the control bill
Senator Chamberlain tonight present
cd and then withdrew temporarily his
cloture after failing to obtain an
agreement by unanimous consent for
a final vote next Wednesday. lie an
nounced that he would renew the clo-
turc motion Monday unless an agree
ment could be reached.
Another day of impassiOned
speeches under a fve-miute limit "in-
side" congressional manoeuvering and
preliminary tangles preceded the SEN
ate's action In the liquor contest. Tho
result was hailed as partial victory
by both "wets" and "drys." Prohibi-
tion advocates were most elated' the
VETS were successful. however, in
conflning the Senate's action to dis
titled beverages without interfering
with beer and wines
The contest waged about the so
called administration compromise
of Senator Robinson. originally pro
viding only for prohibiting manufac
turc of distilled beverages, during tn,
war.
Tho provision for government pur
In ne i,t.I /,