Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1917-07-10
BOOZE PLACED IN
WAR PROHIBITION
SENATE VOTED, as TO 81, TO PUT
STOP TO BOOZE MAKING
DURING WAR.
GOVERNMENT SEXES STOCK
Cuts Off Revenue Source and War
Tax Bill Is Recommitted-Part
Lines Not Drawn-Take
Over Stocks.

Washington senate went on
record Saturday in favor of bone dry
national prohibition during the war,
so far as whiskey and other distilled
beverages are concerned.
Liquor legislation was written into
the food control bill in one of the
senate's bitterest contests. which
would strike at consumption of dis
titled intoxicants by communicating
stocks in bond in addition to prohib-
iting their manufacture or importa-
ton. The beer and wine industries
would be left undisturbed.
Give President Power
In lieu of the section of the house
bill to prohibit the manufacture Of
foodstuffs into beverages of any des-
cription the senate substituted, by a
vote of 40 to 81, a provision by Sen
ator Robinson prohibiting manufac-
ture and importation of distilled bev-
erages during the war, and added, 60
to IL, a further clause, by Senator
Smoot, directing the President to take
over all distilled spirits in gov
eminent bonded warehouses and pay
for it on the basis of cost plus 10 per
cent.
The senators comprise both vets
and dries. They opposed the plan for
divergent reasons.
While the final prohibition legisla-
ton will be evolved in conference be-
tween the two houses, it is generally
regarded as possible that the house
will accept the senate's change after
fight in behalf of the original sec
ton
Limited to Stocks.
The senate provision would limit
consumption to stocks in retailers
hands or withdrawn before the law
goes into effect. Stocks of distilled
beverages in bond were estimated
at between 2OO,OOO.OO0 and 900,-
900 900 gallons and the annual normal
consumption at 120,000,000 gallons.
To purchase this enormous quantity
of liquor or what is left of it after
Withdrawals in anticipation of the leg
lSldllOH IL 10 toLluldlCu iilol tht SON
eminent would have to spend $500,
100000 or more. The probable loss
in federal revenue is placed at from
5000 100000 to S400,000000, although
this as well as the cost of purchase
would depend entirely on how much
liquor was withdrawn tax-paid before
the comandeering.
The senate's action promises indefi-
mite delay in enacting the war tax
bill, further delay on the food control
bill and indefinite postponment on ad
journment of congress. The revised
$1,670 100000 war tax bill was with
drawn Immediately following the final
vote upon the liquor question to seek
new sources of revenue in case taxa
ton on distilled liquors is eliminated
See Enormous Withdrawals.
Enormous withdrawal of distilled
liquors from bonded warehouses be
fore the senate provision could be
come effective is generally predicted
1t was estimated that manufacturers
and dealers probably could raise
funds enough to withdraw at leas
half of the existing supply, or enough
to meet consumption demands for ;
year or more.
One feature of the bill as it nov
stands-the prohibition of the manu-
facture of distilled spirits-will no
be subject to change in conference
and therefore is certain to become
law.
A resort to cloture still is threat
ened to hasten action on other dis
puted sections of the control bill.