New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-07-06
Cloture Rule
Is Invoked in
Liquor Fight
Dry" Section of Food Bill
To Be Settled in the
Senate To-day
Majority Favor
Presidents Plan
Only Distillation Of Food
stufs To Be Prohibited
Is Scheme Now

Washington, July 5.-Fnal dis
position of the prohibition section OF
the food bill before adjournment to-
morrow night and passage Of the
measure next week were believed as
sured this afternoon when the Senate
bv unanimous consent agreed to begin
consideration Of the "dry" section
and amendments or substitute bills at
. o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Debate
will be limited.
Forty-two Senators signed cloture
measure, which brought about to-days
action. Only fifteen signatures are
required to enforce the cloture rule. .
Senator Chamberlain. in charge OF
the measure, announced that on Sat
urday he would seek another unani-
nous consent agreement for final
vote not later than Wednesday or
Thursday and believed it would be
obtained without using the cloture
motion.
When the prohibition question is
taken UP tomorrow the time OF each
Senator speaking will be limited TO
ten minutes upon the Gore prohibition
amendment, prohibiting manufacture
of distilled beverages during the war
and giving the President authority to
suspend manufacture Of malt, fer
nented and vinous intoXicants and
to limit their alcoholic contents. Upon
amendments and substitutes for the
Gore plan each Senator's debate will
bo lip,ttad fya pl1pufpc
"Wets" TO Abandon Discussion
The "wets" tonight planned to use
little time in discussion and It was
believed the voting would begin dur
ing the late afternoon.
All the formal steps for a decisive
and spirited struggle on prohibition
have been taken. Senator Robinson
introduced to-day the so-called "Ad-
ministrstion compromise" substitute
for the Gore plan, providing only that
distillation Of foodstuffs for intoxicat-
ing beverages shall cease.
Private polls of the Senate. leaders
tS both factions admitted privately to-
night. indicate a large majority for the
Robinson substitute. II was drawn by
Senator Martin, Democratic leader. and
is identical with that originally offered
by Senator Chamberlain and rejected
by the Senate Agricultural Committee
in favor of the Gore amendment.
After agreeing to proceed with the
liquor fight tomorrow, the Senate
late to-day adopted Senator Kenyon's
amendment to section Of the bill
greatly extending the governments
power to purchase and sell supplies
TO secure reasonable prices. Under the
amendment, in addition to foods, feed
and fuel. the government would be
authorized to buy and SELL at mini
mum prices fixed by the Federal au
thorities. all other "necessaries" named
in the bill
Will Seek Coal Regulation
Before final passage of the bill a
determined effort will be made to
broaden il so as TO insure that the
government will have power to regu-
late coal prices and to take over and
operate coal mines. Many leaders be-
leve, however. that some of the
"necessaries" now included in the bill
for governmental regulation, such as
cotton. wool, iron and steel and other
products. will be eliminated and left
for future legislation.
Senator Pomerene, of Ohio, made
long speech to-day on the coal situ-
alton. reciting alleged exorbitant coal
prices and necessity for government
regulation.
Senator Thomas, of Colorado. ad-
yocated national prohibition when
souarely and fairly presented" but
announced opposition TO the proposal
for immediate "bone dry" prohibition,
both because of effect upon public
sentiment and from the revenue stand
point. go.
has not been regarded as an ardent
nrobibition advocate. announced that
hereafter he is "bone dry" Senator
because cf saloon influence in the East
St. Louis race riots.