Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-09

washington, July s.-The Senate went
on record Saturday in favor of bone
dry" national prohibition during the war.
as far as whiskey and other distilled
beverages are concerned.
| LIQUOR legislation was written into the
| food control bills In one of the Senate's
bitterest contests, which would strike at
consumption Of distilled intoxicants by
Communicating stocks in bond In addi-
ton to absolutely prohibiting their man
ufacture or importation. The beer and
wine industries would be left undis-
turbed.
In lieu Of the section Of the House bill
to prohibit the manufacture of food
stuffs into beverages of any description
| the Senate substituted. ov vote of 45
to 81, a provision prohibiting manufacture
and importation of distilled BEVERAGES
during the war. and added, c5 to II, a fur
ther clause directing the President to take
over all distilled spirits in government
bonded warehouses and pay for it on the
basis Of cost plus 10 per cent.
While the final prohibition legislation
will be evolved in conference between the
! two houses. 1t is generally regarded that
the House will accept the Senate's change
after a tight in behalf OF the original sec
! ton.
The Senate provision would limit con-
sumption to stocks in retailers hands or
Withdrawn before the law goes into effect.
Stocks of distilled beverages in bond were
estimated Saturday night at between 200
| 100000 and 900. 900 gallons and the an
nual normal consumption at 12o, COZ, coo gall
Ions To purchase this enormous quaint
ty OF liquor. or what is left Of 1t after
Withdrawals in anticipation of legislation.
1t Is estimated that the government would
have to spend from $500 ooo, 900 to $1,000, oo,.
600. The probable loss in federal revenues
is placed at from $500. 100000 to s4oo, 600, 900,
although this, as we'll as the cost of pur-
chase. would depend entirely upon how
much liquor was withdrawn tax-paid be-
! fore the communicating.
The Senate's action promises indefinite
delay in enacting the war tax bill. further
delay on the food control bill and indefi-
mite postponement on adjournment of
Congress. The revised $3.50, c0.0oo war
tax bill was withdrawn Immediately fol
lowing the final vote upon the liquor
question to seek new sources Of revenues
is case taxation on distilled liquors is
eliminated.
The Senates vote to have the govern
ment virtually buy for industrial purposes
and thus withdraw from consumption or
revenue purposes the great stocks of dis
titled liquors held in bond followed rejec-
ton Of a proposal to authorize the Pres
ident to suspend manufacture Of light
intoxicants. beer and wine.
Immediate and probably enormous
Withdrawals Of distilled liquor from
! bonded warehouses before the Senate
provision could become effective was
! generally predicted Saturday night. 1t
| was estimated that manufacturers and
I dealers probably could raise funds
enough to withdraw at least half Of
the existing supply. or enough to meet
| consumption demands for a year or
! more.
Prohibition on Whiskey Sure
One feature Of the bill as it now
stanes-the prohibition OF the manu-
facture Of distilled spirits-will not be
subject 10 change in conference ana
| therefore is certain to become law.
A resort to cioture still Is threatened
to hasten action on Nther disputed
sections of the control bill. Senator
Chamberlain Saturday night present
ed and then withdrew temporarily his
! cloture, after failing to obtain an
agreement by unanimous consent for
a final vote next Wednesday. Deter
mined to dispose Of the measure during
the coming week, he announced that
he would renew the cloture motion on
Monday unless an agreement could be
reached.
Another day Of impassioned speeches
under q FIVE minute limit Inside"
congressional maneuvering and parlia-
mentary tangles proceeded the Sen
ate's action in the liquor contest. The
result was hailed as a partial victory
by both VETS" and "drys.' Prohibi-
ton advocates were more elated. how
ever, because they had won their fight
to stop, or at least, greatly restrict
! consumption as we'll as manufacture
! of distilled beverages.
The "Wets" were unsuccessful. how
ever. in combining the Senate's action
to distilled beverages without interfer-
ing with beer and wines.
The contest ragged about the So
called administration compromise" of
| senator IbOpiIoOIi, oIlS picfiNths
only for prohibiting manufacture of
| distilled beverages during the war.
Wording of the Substitute
AS finally adopted the Senate's pro-
hibition substitute for the House pro-
vision reads:
'That from and after 30 days from
! the date of the approval Of this act no
! person shall use any foods, fruits, food
materials. or feeds in the productl@',
| Of distilled liquors except for govern
mental, Industrial. manufacturing. SCI
entif1c or medicinal purposes. nor shan
there be imported into the United
| States during said war any distilled
! LIQUORS; provided that the President
and the United States be and hereby
! is directed to take over for and on be-
half Of the government OF the United
States all distilled liquors that are
held in bond at the time Of this act
goes into effect, and he Is hereby au-
thorized to pay to the owners of such
liquors the actual cost of the same