Evening journal., 1917-05-14
BATTLE UNDER WAY
FOR DRY NATION
Anti-Liquor Men in House
to Urge Prohibition
During War
NEW PROPOSAL.
HAS BEEN DRAFTED

WASHINGTON, May 14-Given con-
hdence by the victory of the prohibit
ton forces in the Senate on Saturday
through the adoption Of the Cummins
anlehument to the espionage bill.
ary leaders in the House are pre-
pared TO rush through similar legis-
lation which, so far as production is
concerned, will make the United
States dry.
william Schley Howard, Represen-
tatlVo from Georgia, who has been
one OF the foremost advocates Of pro-
hlDltlon as war measure, has
drafted an amendment to the Lever
food bill which is even more sweeping
IN It's provisions than the amendment
OF Senator Cummins, which made GER
tam exceptions to the rule that no
more cereals or other food products
may be used in the manufacture Of
matt and spirituous liquors. The How
ard amendment provides:
The Secretary of Agriculture is
hereby authorized, empowered and
directed 10 seize all cereals, mo-
lasses, syrups, sugars and other
food products now or that here
after may be in the control or
possession of any distillery or
brewery in the United states or
ITS territories or insular possess
sions which are intended to be
used for the manufacture Of alco-
holic. malt or intoxicating
liquors or beverages. provided
that at the time of such seizure
he shall pay TO the owners or
their agents a fair market price
Tor such cereals, molasses,
syrups, sugars and other food
products so possessed by such dis
ulleries or brewerles
Provision For Appeal.
Mr.. Towards amendment makes
the customary provision that II the
distiller or brewer so dispossessed of
the food materials used in the manu-
facture Of his products, is dissatisfied
with the award he may sue 10 re-
cover the difference between the
award and what he regards as a fair
price. The suit may be brought in
any court of competent jurisdiction.
Taking the Senate action as q basis
OF Judgment, members OF Congress
said that there appeared every likeli-
hood that the liquor industry would
be brought TO a dead standstlll dur
ing the period of the war. There had
been a disposition in the House to
sidctrack liquor legislation for the
time being in favor OF the measures
which were regarded as more strictly
war legislation. but this intention has
been abandoned and the Senate has
taken the lead in getting through a
dry amendment
Not only will a fight be made 10
adopt the drastic Howard amendment
to the Lever bill, but an effort will
be renewed to shut Off the sale or gift
of all liquor to soldiers and sailors. a
proposal which was made originally
by the House, but which was discard
ed when il reached the Senate in the
army bill. The Senate contented it.
self with leaving the matter in the
hands Of the President.
VIII Force the Fight.
The argument OF the House anti
liquor men is that in the hope of a
speedy agreement on the provisions
OF the CONSUMPTION measure they have
not insisted heretofore on the incor-
poration Of liquor legislation, but now
that the discussion had been thrown
open again and there appeals little
chance that the army bill will be
finally agreed upon for some days
they feel free to force their fight
It is probable that the Howard
amendment will meet with consider
able opposition because it does moi
make the exemptions that are made
by the Cummins amendment. The
Cummins amendment prohibits only
the use Of cereals, grains, sugars Of
syrups in the manufacture OF intoXi
eating liquors. The Howard amend
ment prohibits the use of any food
stun whatever, prohibition which
probably would be construed to in
clude grapes and all other fruits ant
which would prevent the manufacture,
OF wines aud brandies as well as beers
and whiskeys.
The Howard amendment also as /
stands makes no exceptions as e
liquors used for mechanical indus
trial, sacramento or scientific pur
poses.