Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-07-08

eh0 pCtillOH IOT u CAOluIS ~ oAkA
debate on the food control bill.
Senator Reed Of Missouri interposed
an objection to the request for cloture.
on the ground that Senator Chamber
at this time. when he, Senator Reed.
two days ago agreed to fix a limit to
the debate on the prohibition section. .
Rather than have any imputation OF
Chamberlain agreed to withhold the
petition until tomorrow evening.
Prediction as to Final Vote.
Later Senator Chamberlain expressed
the opinion that 1t would be possible
to get final vote on the bill before
the close of this week. He said he
hoped that tomorrow an agreement
could be reached.
While the prohibition section has
oeen disposed of. so far as the senate
Is concerned at present. when the Dill
hard with the food control measure II
the Smoot amendment has not been
eliminated.
While the final prohibition legisla-
ton will be evolved in conference be-
tween the two houses, it is generally
regarded as probable that the House
will accept the Senates change after a
fight in behalf of its original section.
The Senates action yesterday promises
indefinite delay in enacting the war
tax bill. further delay on the food con-
troll bill and indefinite postponement
Of adjournment of Congress.
Expect Enormous Withdrawals.
Immediate and probably enormous
withdrawal Of distilled liquors from
bonded warehouses before the Senate
provision could become effective was
generally predicted last night It was
estimated that manufacturers and
dealers probably could raise funds
enough to withdraw at least half of the
existing supply, or enough to meet con-
sumption demands for a year or more.
/. One feature of the bill as it now
stands-the prohibition of the manu-
facture Of distilled spirits-will not be
subject to change in conference. and
therefore is certain to become law.
Views Of Senator Newlands.
Senator Newlands. during the debate.
said in part:
II believe that the use Of alcohol should
be controlled just as the use Of any other
poison should be controlled. But I have
felt that in the legislation thus far pro-
posed no proper consideration has been
given to the equities Of those who have
built up business and produced alcoholic
commodities under the sanction Of the law
In quasi partnership with the national
government. 1 have also felt that radical
and Incorporate action would not be suffi-
GENTLY considerate of that class ofNpeo-
pie who, using intoxicants. from which
the government receives substantial part
Of the profits, have formed the drink
habit which humanity requires should
be treated scientifically as a malady
rather than as crime. l have feared
that radical prohibition would encourage
the drug habit and substitute a worse
,nalady for the alcoholic malady.
1T have also feared and NV oynarience
would result in their evasion and that we
would have a government Of spies
throughout the country whose function II
would be to secure the punishment OF
such evasion.
But the consciousness Of the enormity
Of the evil has been growing upon me and
] have been approaching the conclusion te
vote for extreme measures rather thar
fail altogether Of accomplishment The
amendment Of the senator from Utah
which proposes that the government take
over and pay for the existing stock OF
whisky in bond, is the first rational sug-
gestion that tends toward q recognition OF
the equities of the people who have pro.
duced commodities under the sanction OF
the law. I believe that the amendmen,
which he has offered should remain in the
bill, and I intend to support it. If we
can only follow this up hereafter by some
moderate and progressive action which
within reasonable period, will secure the
reduction Of the use Of alcohol to those
mild beverages which cheer but do not in.
ebriate we can in a rational and fair and
just way. in a considerate and humane
way. deal with this subject, and later: or
we can proceed to absolute prohibition II
experience points that way"