New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-06-28
Beer Barred in Drastic
Measure for Food
Control
New Powers for
Seizure of Supplies
Metal Products, Machinery,
Factories and Mines
Included

Washington. June 27.-Food control
legislation assumed new and more dras-
,ic form to-day. The Senate Agricult-
pre Committee virtually redrafted
many Of the principal features Of the
House measure and reported it with
material extensions Of government
nover and new "bone dry" prohibi-
tion provision to stop manufacture Of
intoxicating beverages during the war.
The President would be authorized to
hermit only wine making and TO COM
msndeer existing distilled spirits.
Senator'S explained that the effect
Of the substitute prohibition plan
would be absolutely to prohibit further
manufacture of distilled spirits. malt
ard fermented liquors, but give the
President power, if he deemed 1t ad-
visable. to allow manufacture of wines
alone. A fight on the Senate floor was
expected on the question of stopping
manufacture of beer.
Want Wines Exempt
Senator Wadsworth. of New York,
proposed the wine exemption.
Senator Sheppard. of Texas. lead
ing prohibitionist. made the fight in
committee against the subcommittee
plan Of allowing the President to de-
termine whether further manufacture
of beer, as we'll as wine, shall be al
lowed
The amended bill was presented to
the Senate by Senator Chamberlain. He
will move tomorrow 10 have it sub
sttuted for the draft the Senate has
been debating, and proceed with all ex-
petition toward final action.
The new prohibition plan, all leaders
admitted tonight, greatly compllcates
the situation and precludes enactment
of the legislation by July l.
In extending the. scope Of the meas
ure the committee adopted amendments
which would provide for government
control-in addition to food, feeds and
fuel-of iron, steel, copper. lead and
their products, farm implements and
machinery, fertilizers and binding twine
materials.
Sweeping Provisions
Other important amendments ap-
proved would authorize the government
to take over and operate factories. pack
ing houses, oil wells and mines, regu-
lating wages Of their employees, and to
commander supplies of any and every
kind when needed for the army and
navy cor any other public use connect
ed with the public defence"
Another amendment would empower
the government 20 buy and sell, for
general civilian purposes, food, feeds
and fuel, with limitation on the general
legislation, making it apply TO agencies
and products in interstate and foreign
commerce.
The amendments are declared By
Senator's who have been opposing. as
well as those supporting the legisla-
tion 70 improve the bill and remove
almost all opposition, except on pro-
hibition.
The prohibition section was written
into the bill by a vote Of 20 7.
The committee rejected, 3 TO 7, its
sub-committee's recommendation that
the President be given authority TO
permit continuance Of manufacture Of
malt and fermented beverages
Senate Debate Held Up
While the committee was revising tn 2
House. or Lever, measure Senate de
bate on the original Chamberlain draft
was suspended Senator Chamberlain
sought 70 begin debate late to-day on
the redraft, but upon objection by SEN
ator Penrose and under the Senate
rules discussion was postponed until,
tomorrow.
The possibility Of flibuster because
o. the drastic prohibition proposals IL
being considered. Senate leaders agree
that the prohibition fight will probably
be long and one Of the most strenuous
IN the Senste's history, with alignment
extremely close on the question OF stop
ping the manufacture Of beer.
In rewriting and extending the bill
the committee adopted new amend
ment, aimed 20 prevent government
employees or officers from selling their
o~n materials % the government.
The proposed blanket power for gov
eminent requisition provides:
The President is authorized TO
requisition foods, feeds, fuel and other
supplies necessary 20 the support Of
The army, or the maintenance of the
navy, or any other public use connect
- with the common defence" Under
this the committee proposes 10 give the
government power % take at a just
pr.ce any supplies needed for military
purposes, or. broadly, for the public