The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-02-22
Rider on Postal Appropria-
tons Bill Greatest Vic
tory Drys Have Won.
WILSON EXPECTED
TO APPROVE BILL
Brewers Favored Action;
Distillers Fought It; Pro-
hibitionists Split.

washington, fep. .l.-ADSOlute pro-
hibition legislation took its longest
forward stride in the nations history
today, when the house. after two hours
Of uproarious debate. approved by Il
four to- one majority, a senate measure
which would raise an iron. clad barrier
against importation Of liquor into pro-
hibition states. 1t is expected to re-
ceivc tho approval of President Wilson
within week, adding Immediately to
the bone dry" territory about one
third OF continental United States.
The provision Is regarded as the
most far-rcaching that could be en-
acted by the federal government and
as sweeping as would be possible un-
der any method short Of II national
prohibition amendment. 1t would cut
off entirely liquor inportations,
amounting now to millions Of dollars
annually. into the large number OF
states which have forbidden manu-
facturo or sale but have permitted i'm
portation for personal use.
Prohibitionists Divided.
Advocates Of prohibition divided
among themselves over the cxpediency
Of tho step, some declaring 10 drastic
a law would have rcactionary effect
In the same way those who have op-
posed prohibition were not unanimous
in opposition.
Tho vote as officially announced was
32l to u, but II re- check OF the roll
changed 1t to $40 to ~. Party lines
wcro completely broken down. So
large a vote seldom Is recorded on
any measure.
Advertisements Barred.
A provision barring liquor advertise
mcnts from the mails in states that
prohibit such advertising is included in
the measure. which came before the
house as a rider to the annual post
office appropriation bill. inserted by
the senate last week on motion of Sem
ator Reed, by vote Of 5J to II. Al
though the appropriation bill will so to
conference because the house dis
agreed to other senate amendments,
there is little possibility that the pro-
hibition amendment, concurred in
without change. will be altered.
Members of congress are taking il
for granted that President Wilson VII,
approve it.
Although some members had givon it
as their opinion that tho Legislative
features added to the postal bill would
rot be effective until July I. the effcc-
tive date OF the appropriations, 1t car
ries, senators and representatives who
are considered authorities say tonight
that all tho legislative riders. includ-
ing the Reed prohibition amendment,
undoubtedly would become operative as
soon as the president has signed the
measure.
Amendment Predicted.
Dry advocates were jubilant tonight.
Representative Webb OF North Caro-
lima. father of the resolution for a ma
tional prohibition amendment, declared
the overwhelming affirmative vote had
killed the states rights argument. and
that the national amendment. already
reported favorably. certainly would
pass the house at this session.
Brewers Favored Bill.
Many of the wet advocates in con-
gress. particularly those with brewers
| among their constituents, also de-
clared themselves much pleased with
the outcome. The brewers are under
stood to have been in favor Of the pro-
vision, both because II would curtail
the so-called mail order business car
tied Oh by houses dealing in spurious
liquors and because 1t might prevent
states now wet from going dry and
! indefinitely POSTPONE nationwide pro.
| hibition.
Distillers and whiskcy dealers. on
the other hand. were vigorously op-
posed to this proposal.