Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-07-09
DRY U. S. TO COST
S64O,OOO,OOO TAX
Senate Seeks Solution Of
War Finance Problem
Raised by Vote
FOOD BILL NOW
SEEMS IN JEOPARDY

WASHINGTON, July s.-The SEN
ate having voted on Saturday to re-
move whiskey and similar beverages
from the reach OF the American pub
lie by forbidding manufacture for the
war period and coupling with this
inhibition the purchase and redistilla-
ton OF the hundreds OF millinos Of
gallons OF liquor in the bonded ware
houses, sat back yesterday. drew a
long breath and gave thought to the
stupendous financial problem which
its action entails.
To many Of the more conservative
Senators. both "wets" and "drys," the
financial problem is distinctly an an
noyance. The great revenue bill, the
largest single revenue producing
measure ever deolsed by a national
Legislature. is now some S64O, OOO, 900
smaller than it will have TO be TO
meet the needs Of the government in
the remaining months OF the current
fiscal year. This shortage must be
made up. 10 was this which made
necessary the withdrawal Of the war
revenue bill on the motion Of Senator
Simmons on Saturday that II be re-
committed 10 the committee on finance.
Having taken stock Of the situation
conservative Senators have been casting
about for some solution Of the financial
problem. They will not abate even the
fraction Of a step from the position as
sumed in the advance of the nation to-
ward a prohibition basis and yet will
not place upon the Treasury this ire
mendous burden.
The solution most frequently and
most seriously suggested is that %
amending the prohibition provisions by
a return TO the original Robinson amend
ment, which simply forbade the use of
foods. food products and feeds in the
manufacture Of potable distillates for
tho period OF the war and then, by
! general agreement. passing the Shep-
! pard resolution amending the Constitu-
/ ton so that after the adoption Of such
an amendment tho entire nation by
change in the basic law of the land will
be forever "hone dry"
A number OF Senators look upon
] this suggestion as the most reasonable
7 Va aAAs III II uNNlA AnN UA7
ton that Withdrawals OF the bonded
liquor will be made in vast volume
during the next few weeks. II is
hardly possible that the entire bonded
stock can be saved from the hands Of
the redistiners for industrial uses. bu
nevertheless an already heavy public
demand undoubtedly will be multi
piled many fold and the consumers. re
tailers, hotel and saloon keepers ant
the wholesalers throughout the re
naming wet" areas OF the Unite
States can by a little clever financin
accumulate most OF the bonded ware
house supply before the law become
effective
Senator Simmons admitted las
night that Saturdays action by tn
Senate had put the food bill IN jeop
ardy. II was evident at the oonclu
sion Of the Senate session that tn
opposition has been increased rathe
than diminished by the action OF tn
Senate in writing in the Smoot amend
ment. II is a question Of great doun
as 10 whether falling TO obtain unanl
nous consent for vote on the ZOO
bill Senator Chamberlain now cal
muster the necessary twO-thirds o
Tie Senate 10 vote cloture into ehec'
II this should prove 10 be the cas-
. the debate will be illimitable.