Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-06
PROHIBITION ISSUE
DEBATED BY SENATE
Beer and Wine Feature OF
Food Control Bill May Be
Disposed of by Tonight.
TIME LIMIT is ADOPTED

With every prospect OF finally de-
Gliding the beer and wine fight" be-
fore adjournment tonight, or tomor-
row at the very latest. the Senate at 2
o'clock this afternoon took up the
prohibition section OF the food con-
troll bill. Under unanimous consent
one speech of not more than ten min
utes on the section and to speeches OF
not more than five minutes on any
amendment thereto.
The opponents Of prohibiting the
manufacture of beer and wines were
confident today that they had suffi-
cient votes to strike from the bill all
reference to beer and wine. leaving
the prohibition merely against whisky
and other distilled spirits. 1t is well
understood that they would not have
entered into unanimous consent
agreement to vote finally on the pro-
hibition section If the situation had
been otherwise. For under the agree
ment the vote on this section is to be
final. and no motion to open 1t UT
again when the bill comes from COM
mittee Of the whole into the Senate will
be entertained.
Gore Amendment First Up.
The Senate committee amendment
sometimes called the Gore amend
ment. which prohibits the use of food
stuffs in the manufacture of distilled
spirits and gives the President author
ity to stop the use of foods and feeds
in the manufacture Of beer and wine
IL he deems it necessary. was first
taken up. Several substitute amend
Guiding the Robinson amendment
drawn by Senator Robinson in con-
cert with Senator Martin of Virginia,
the democratic floor leader, known as
the administration compromise:
which strikes from the bill all ref
erence to beer and wine. and leaves
the prohibition against distilled spirits
The Robinson amendment, it was
claimed today. will be adopted by the
Senate and will remain in the bill.
bone dry" amendment, and Senator
Gronna Of North Dakota has offered an
amendment which would prohibit the
use of foodstuffs in the manufacture OF
all alcoholic beverages. but would au-
thorize the President. II he thought it
necessary to conserve perishable fruits
to permit their use in the manufacture
Of wine.
All of these amendments will be voted
upon The wet" senators were plan.
ming to use little time in the debate to.
day. It is expected, however. that the
"drys" will make use Of the time al
lowed them to urge strict prohibition
or to explain their votes on the com.
promise amendment. which a number
of them are expected to support.
Plans for Vote on Bill.
When Senator Chamberlain, In charge
Of the bill, obtained the unanimous con
sent agreement to limit debate on the
prohibition section. he gave notice that
he would tomorrow ask unanimous con-
sent for a final vote on the entire bill
Wednesday or Thursday OF next week
1t was generally believed today that
such an agreement could be had, and
that the food control bill would be
passed by the Senate within few days
as urgently>requested by President Will
son.
After agreeing to proceed with the
liouor fight the Senate late yesterday
adopted Senator kenyon's amendment
to a section of the bill greatly extend
ing the governments power to purchase
and sell supplies to secure reasonable
prices. Under the amendment. in addi-
ton to foods, feed and fuel, the gov
ernment would be authorized to buy
and sell, and at minimum prices fixed
by the federal authorities. all other
'.necessaries" named in the bill.
Before final passage of the bill a de-
termfned effort will be made to broad den
it so as to insure that the government
will have power to regulate coal prices
and to take over and operate coal
mines. Many leaders believe. however.
that some Of the 'necessaries" now in
cluded in the bill for governmental
regulat ton, such as cotton, wool, iron
and steel and other products. will be
eliminated and left for future legisla-
ton.