Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-06-14
DRASTIC DRY MEASURE
Gets FAVORABLE REPORT
senate Committee's Action Masked
Under Regulation Of "Food
Conservation"
MORE POWER TO PRESIDENT
Bill Not Only Precludes Manufacture
OF Whisky and Brandy, but Beer
and Wines as Well-ORered by
Senator Gore.

WASHINGTON, Juno 1s.-war pro-
hibition received decided encourage
ment to-day. when the Senate Asricul-
tural Committee agreed upon a meas
ure that not only precludes the manu-
tacture or whisky and brandy, but beer
and wines as we'll Like similar
measures. 1t Is masked under food
conservation" but is practically a.
straightout prohibition bill. 1t was
oHered by Senator Gore as an amend
ment to the war revenue bill
Beer Is prohibited because the
President can forbid the use of mon
perishable products suitable for foods
ana Feeds In the manufacture of in
toxicatinG liquors for beverage pur-
pose. Hero tho words 'intoxicating
liquors" are used instead of Distilled
spirits. as In previous bills. The COM
mittee considers that grain and barley,
which enter into the beer manufac-
ture, are nonperishable.
The President is empowered to pro-
hibit wine manufacture, II he con-
siders this essential to food conserva-
ton. This authorization Is included In
paragraph which allows him to
forbid the use OF "perishable food or
food products" in the manufacture of
intoIicants. Grapes are the perish
able here considered.
UNLAWFUL TO USE
NONPERIsIABLE PRODUCTS
Tho bill reads: That during the
continuance Of the present war be-
tween tho United States and the i'm
pcrial German government It shall
be unlawful for any person. firm or
corporation t6 use. in the manufacture
of Intoxicating liquors for beverage
purposes, any nonperishable products
suitable for foods or feeds. Provided
that the President IL empowered, when
over no shall find 1t essential to con-
serve tho food food supplies OF the
country, to restrict or prohibit the
use OF perishable food or feed prod
ucts In the manufacture OF into1i-
eating liquors for beverage PURPOSES"
Another section OF the bill provides
that tho President Is authorized and
directed to Commander any or all
distilled spirits in bond at the date of
tho approval OF this act for redistilla-
ton. IN SO far as such rehabilitation
may be necessary to meet the require
ments OF tho government In the manu-
facture OF munitions and other military
and hospital supplies. or In so far as
such rehabilitation may be dispensed
with. the necessity OF utilizing prod
ucts and materials suitable for foods
and feeds in the future manufacture
OF distilled spirits for the purposes
herein enumerated"
Tho President shall determine and
pay just compensation for the dis
titled spirits SO Communicated. and II
tho price is not satisfactory to the
owner. he may cue for what further
sum he considers adequate.
EASILY MOST DRASTIC
OF ALL LIQUOR MEASURES
This Is considered easily the most
drastic of all liquor legislation thus
far contemplated. with. OF course. the
exception OF nation wide prohibition
measures. The dry" forces will back
IT TO the limit" and leave considcra-
tion OF their straightout bills until
the December session.
Senator Gore has more than one
means OF attacking. He will push this
bill as an amendment to the war rev.
enue measure. But II 1t is not sue
cessful there. he Will urge 1t as part
Of tho food legislation. II 1t is
adopted, the s23o.oo0.0o0 supposed to
be collected by taxation from liquors
will BIO left out OF the war revenue
bill.
Several Senators IN the committee
voted against the form Of the bill
They are firm In the belief that, while
whisky manufacture should be pro-
hibited. the manufacture of wines and
beers should BIO allowed. These Sena-
tors included Wadsworth. OF New
York: Smith. OF Georgia, and Ransdell.
OF Louisiana.