The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-27
]al PROHIBITION IS
n HIGH FAVOR WITH
Men At WASHINGTON
WOULD NOT MAKE EXEMPTIONS
: FOR BEER AND WINE PRODUCTS
several Projects Looking Toward
Curbfng OF Trafiic in Intoxicants
Are Now Before Congress for Its
Consideration.

Several propositions dealing with
wartime restriction or prohibition Of
the liquor traffic are now being con-
sidered by congress The Sheppard
measure, submitting a prohibition
amendment TO the federal constitu'
ton, has been favorably acted upon
by the judiciary committee Of the
house.
Another proposal is 10 tax liquor
80 that its production and sale would
be put on practically a prohibitive
basis. This scheme has received the
approval of the senate finance com
mittee- Under the proposed increase
IL is estimated by Levi Cooke, counsel
for the National Distiliers. that
drink Of liquor costing ffteen cents
would be sold at half dollar.
Despite the efforts of the beer and
wine men, there is little disposition
on the part of congressman and SEN
afors to exempt beer and wine from
whatever provisions are finally adopt
ed.
War prob bition received decided
announcement when the senate agr!.
cultural committee agreed upon q
measure that not only precludes the
manufacture of whiskey and brandy
but beer and wines as well Like SIM
har measures, II is marked under
flood conservation" but is virtually
. straight out prohibition bill.
Ther me assure is offered by Senator
Gore as an amendment TO the wal
revenue bill.
Beer is prohibited because this
president can forbid the use of mon
psrishable products suitable for foods
and feeds In the manufacture Of "in-
toxicating liquors for beverage pur
poAes" Here the words Intoxicating
liquors are used instead of distilled
spirits" as in previous bills
The president Is empowered u
prohipIt wine manufacture II he con
siders this essential to food conserva
ton. The authorization is included
IN a paragraph which allows him Y
forbid the use of "perishable food oil
food products" in the manufacture o.
tutoxlcants.- Grapes are the perish
ahaes here considered.
Another section Of the bill provide!
that the PRECEDENT Is authorized and
directed to commander any or al
distilled spirits in bond at the date O.
the approval OF this act for re-distilla
ton in so far as such Redistribution
may be necessary to meet the re
Quirements Of the government in tht
manufacture of munitions and othel
military and hospital supplies
The president shall determine ant
pay just compensation for the dis
ttlled spirits so Communicated, ant
II the price Is not satisfactory to tn
owner. he shall be paid the amour
prescribed by the president and ma
Aue for what further sum he consid
trs adequate.
That the sentiment OF leading mem
bers of congress is strongly to tn
3 effect that IL lie not ony the function
but the duty OF congress 10 deal al
rectly with the question OF the con
servation Of foodstuffs during a crisi
such as that brought on by the deciara
ton of war against Germany, ~ EN-
phasized in the most emphatic wa
possible by expressions on the sub
+ sect BY. members Of the two houses o
congress from widely scattered sec
lions and of both OF the great po
hticai parties.
Members OF congress feel that. tn
constitution OF the United States hav
ing placed this obligation upon them
they should as quickly az possible, I
the end that the war be expedit!ousl
and successfully fought. enact law
which would put an immediate sto
TO the use OF foodstuffs in the maxim
~ distilled or fermented liquors. In
stead OF referring the Discriminate
81 this question to some commissio
or other body