The evening world., 1917-06-30
"Dry" Forces Continue Il
Fight for the Best Com.
promise Possible.

WASHINGTON. June so--Prohibi-
ton features OF the Food legislation
engrossed Senate leaders to-day
while debate continued on the Food
Control Bill. II was generally pre-
dicted the Senate will confne Its ban
10 distilled liquors following Presi-
dent Wilson's suggestion to Prohibi-
ton leaders TO drop the fight against
manufacture OF beer and wines.
Leaders discussed many proposals
for a compromise OF the liquor is
sue, but with little prospect OF agree
ment. A clear cut fight and vote
next week was In prospect with both
factions admitting that, because OF
the President's Intervention. Prohibi-
ton would extend only TO distilled
spirits. Leaders OF the Dry" move
ment are working for the best pos
sible compromise.
Senator Martin. the Democratic
leader, Senator Chamberlain, in
charge OF the Food bill. and some
other leaders planned and predicted
adoption OF an amendment stopping
only liquor distlIlation. and giving the
President no authority to stop wines
and beer. Senators who conferred
with the President are confident that
oven II given such authority he
would not exercise Il. for the pres
ent at least.
. The DRY" forces. admitted By
their leaders to be without votes to
stop manufacture OF beer and wines
are divided on giving the President
any authority over the light bever-
ages.
There are. now four big factions In
the Senate. including those willing
10 accede 90 President Wilson's de-
mand. those radical "drys" unwilling
10 make this concession. those who
favor continuing beer and wine pro-
duotion but who refuse TO leave their
ultimate disposal in tho Presidents
hands. and those who oppose prohi-
bition OF anything. even whiskey.
Senator Borah OF Idaho heads the
group who will not vote to place beer
and wine production at tho discretion
OF the President.
Such action would be oowardly."
Borah said to-day. This is n dues-
ton OF right or wrong, a question for
Congress TO face. not a question OF
loading the administration OF II on tho
President. will fight any such pro-
posal. 1 will vote bone-dry before
adding 10 the Presidents other trou-
bles the disposal OF the beer and wine
prohibition question"
The President not only urged Sen
ate leaders TO modify the bone dry"
amendment passed by the House. but
appealed to the patriotism OF pro-
moters OF the Prohibition movement
20 modify their demands and permit
the passage OF the bill.
The Presidents influence was i'm
( msdiRtely apparent The dry" SEN
ators Indicated their willingness "a
accept his view that war emergency
, is not an opportune time TO divide
public sentiment on any issue.
A hands on policy was agreed to
to-day by the legislative committed
Of the Anti-Saloon League OF Ameri-
Ca The Rev. DR.. James Cannon
Chairman OF the league, to whom the
: President yesterday sent a letter urg.
ing n discontinuance OF the fight tc
include beer and wine manufacture
In the dry amendment to the Food
Bill. is formulating his reply and II
, Is assumed the league will not press
Its nght for complete prohibition al
this time.
When the Senate resumed debate OF
the bill Senator Lewis. Democrati,
whip, urged that Congress shoul,
speedily dispose OF II TO avert tn,
calamity that had befallen other coun
tries in delaying over formalities ant
time worn precedents. He said
would not serve for Congress TO ex