Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-06-29
WANTS FULL POWER
TO CLAMP ON LID
IN AN EMERC CENCY
Wilson Fears that Public
Sentiment May be Split
On the War.
WILLING TO STOP
WHISKY PRODUCTION
But Believes Wines and Beer
Should not be Disturbed Il,
at Present Time.

Washington. June ga determin.
ed effort to modify the food bill now
before the senate SO that 1t will bo
free from any prohibition provisions.
or at least SO as to grant the Prest.y
dent authority to permit the use Of
beer and light wines was begun today
by the administration, when President
Wilson conferred on the question
with Senator Martin. the. majority
leader, and Senator Gerry.
President Wilson. according to
Senator Phelan of California, with
whom he also conferred regarding
prohibition legislation. desires that he
have authority to stop the manufac-
ture Of malt ana vinous liquors in
case OF an emergency. but does nor
believe immediate prohibition Of their
manufacture is necessary or desirable.
The President was understood to
feel that the insistence OF some sen.
ators on bone dry" legislation en-
dangered the early passage Of the food
bill, which he is anxious to see be-
come law as soon as possible.
Fears Workers Discontent.
Administration leaders were said
also to feel that such legislation would
be disturbing factor in the economic
life of the country and might lead to
serious! discomfort among the workers.
whose whole-hearted support Is nec-
essary to win the war.
The President realizes that, since
prohibition has made an issue In con-
gress, it is almost impossible to hope
for the elimination. of prohibitory pro-
visions from the food bill.
1t was understood. that the presi-
dent would be willing to accept 70
measure under which the uses Of food
stuffs and fruit in the manufacturO
of beverage alcohol was forbid len,
hut Nth authority given him to- net-
NIT their itse in making beer ana
Light .yS1sSse. = -s
The Importance Of this issus has
overshadowed many. others In the
Presidents mind and there wsrs III
dications today that every effort
would be used to have congress realiSo
what the administration considers the
danger Of radical and sweeping legis.
lation at this time.
Texan on the Job.
Postmaster General Burlesont of
Texas who often represents the
President in comforting with congress-
men, went to the capitol today and
urged several senate leaders to mod
ify the bill to permit manufacture OF
| beer and wines. The postmaster gem
eral was said to have told senator's ths
President does not desire to disturb
or divide public sentiment during the
war by cutting off consumption of
| light alcoholic beverages in general
use and that such action is unneces-
sary as it would conserve compare
lively small quantities Of food stuffs.
The provision to stop manufacture
of distilled spirits Mr.. Burleson told
senator's, was not Objectionable to the
| President.
Some Of the senate leaders later ex.
pressed increased confidence that the
prohibition sections would be modi-
fed so as to permit beer and wine
manufacture to continue, and tina,
prohibition Of distilled spirits would
| be adopted.
After returning to the capitol from
the White House. Senator Gerry. who
favors brewing and wine making and
stopping distilling. said he believed
the President would exercise sound
Judgment" on the whole prohibition
issue.