The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1917-06-29
DANISH WHISKY,
BEER IN DANGER
Senate Committee Acts on Food
Control Bill
WILSON TO CONTROL BREWING

UllOUN III UUHlnUL DnEFElly0
President Is Also Given Power to
Seize Spirits in Bond for Resistiiia-
tion-PersonaI Liberty Men ard
Revenue Champions Oppose Meas
ure-Home Free in Lever Bill.
WASHINGTON Absolute pro-
hibition Of the manufacture OF distilled
spirits during the war and placing in
the Presidents hands the question CT
permitting the making of beer and
wine was agreed upon by senate
agriculture subcommittee in framing
a substitute for the prohibition fea-
ture of the house food control bill
1t also was decided to forbid impor-
tations of distilled spirits and to au-
thorize the President to seize liquor
now held in bond If needed for redis-
filling purposes.
222,000,000 Gallons in Bond.
The President is directed by the lat
ter provision to take all existing
whisky and hard spirits in bond and
redistill them. He shall pay for the
spirits. If the owner is dissatisfied
by the price set by the government, he
can accept this and sue for the re
mainder. 1t is calculated that there
are some 222,000,000 gallons of spirits
in bond. The taxes upon this, which
the government expected to derive fer
the war revenue bill would bring the
total close to $500,000,000.
3The sentiment of the subcommit-
tee was overwhelmingly in favor of
prohibition" said Senator Gore, the
chairman, there were but two against
it. The committee seemed unwilling to
prohibit the manufacture of spirits
ans allow the President to make ex-
ception of the others as had been pro-
posed at times. This exception would
have concerned the limitation of food
stuffs in the manufacture of wine and
beer
'.There were three propositions be-
fore the committee. The first was a
fiat prohibition similar to that in the
house bill. The second would forbid
the use of foodstuffs in distilled spirits
for beverage purposes and allow the
President to make exceptions of food
stuffs in malt and vinous liquors. The
third would be fiat prohibition
against the use foodstuffs and Civ
ing the President power to make ex
ceptions in emergencies.
II think the bill as 1t is will pass.
There may be one unconstitutional
section. This is the one that fOrbids
conspiracies of trade within the bor-
ders of states. / do not know if purely
local conspiracies can be regulated by
the federal government"
Personal Liberty, Revenue, Obstacles.
Two influences are expected to
work against the prohibition section
placed in the bill. One of these is the
sentiment of various men that the law
abiding man who takes drink" shall
not be interfered with in that priv
ilege. The other is the loss of immense
revenue.
Changes Made in Food Bill.
While prohibition overshadowed
any other aspect of the food control
bill, some important changes were
made in the main measures. The scope
of the measure was broadened In the
necessities" over which the Presi-
dent through Mr. Hoover will have
control, were included petroleum,
farm implements and machinery, bin
der twine, fertilizer, iron and steel
and copper, as well as containers for
food and~fuel The committee thought
these all indispensable to the national
1t was also decided to amend the
bill so that it shall specifically state
that the bill shall not apply to the
products of farmers, stock raisers and
gardeners. Another amendment re-
moves the much debated idea that
the food administration shall situate
what people shall and shall not eat.