The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1917-07-06
Whiskey Prohibited; No Time for Bone
Dry" Agitation, President Declares

Washington, June 3d. Through
pressure brought to bear on the Sem
ate by President Wilson today, beers
and wines will be eliminated from the
drastic prohibition amendment in the
administration food control bill. There
81 no hope for whiskey and kindred
spirits.
The influence of the White House
was thrown into the balance in favor
of beer and wines when the President
conferred with Senators Gerry Of
Rhode Island and Martin of Virginia,
the latter Democratic floor leader.
He insisted this was not the time TO
force upon the country an unqualified
"dry" measure that would antagonize
many young men upon whom the
country is depending for loyal sup
port in this crisis.
At the same time the President
communicated with organizations in
the city fighting for the "bone dry"
measure as a section of the food bill
and told them such a measure at this
time would seriously jeopardize the
passage of The food bill.
Later Postmaster General Burleson
carried word of the Presidents desire
to leaders of the "dry" element in
Congress, and there was an immediate
response to the white House appeal.
A modified "dry" amendment was
drawn, which will be introduced as
substitute for the one reported out
from the Agricultural Committee and
now a part of the food control bill.
The amendment provides all produc-
ton of distilled spirits from edibles
shall stop and the President may, by
proclamation, if he deems it neces-
sary, stop the use of edibles in the
manufacture of beer and wines.
Puts it up to President.
This amendment again passes the
matter to the President and will be
opposed on this ground by some of
the leading Senator's, including Sena-
tor Borah of Idaho, who believes
Congress should determine what
should be done in the matter and not
place solution of a question "invoIv-
ing right and wrong" before the Pres
ident.
Thus the prohibition fight tonight
has several phases, distinct and ac-
yielding on the "dry" amendment
the radical prohibitionists-those who 1
refuse to shunt the burden of respon-
sibility for prohibition onto the Pres
ident and those who are willing to ac-
cept any compromise in order to has
ten passage of the food control bill.
AS result the outcome is as much
in doubt tonight, as to the ultimate
solution of the problem, as it has ev-
err been, with one important excep-
ton, and that is the fight to save {
beers and wines from the wreckage {
Of the "dry" fight has been success {
full through President Wilson.
Prefers Dry Issue Be Dropped.
Throughout the day conferences t
between "wets" and '
'drys," between administration lead
ers Fastening passage of the food {
dill and radical dry" leaders and be- t
,ween the President and his represent
ltives in the Senate. 6
The President is understood to have i
old Senators Martin and Gerry he \
referred the whole "dry" amendment t
o the food bill be stricken out and c
ct the matter be handled by the Sem Z
tie Finance Committee, which in v
ends to place prohibitive tax on the o
of distilled spirits. He
vas told, however, of the overwhelm- S
ng strength of sentiment for prohib- a
ting spirits manufacture in the Sem Fl
tie and as a result yielded the point C
'hen told that that feature of the "
dry" section would not delay pas
age of the bill b
He emphasized the need of main u
aiming public tranquility at this time n
nd said this was not the opportune n
1oment to take any action such as W
hight antagonize any citizens of the o.
ountry. n