The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-06-06
PRESIDENT AND
HOOVER ASSAIL
ANTI-BEER PLAN
Assert Proposal Would Put
Nation on Whiskey and
Gin Basis.
BIG STOCKS OF SPIRITS
Senate Is Expected to Kill
Amendment to Agricul-
tural Bill.

WARRINGTON. June 5.--Rebuking the
radical prohibition element in the
House, both the President and Food
Commissioner Hoover emp,,atically ex-
pressed their disapproval to-day OF the
Randall amendment to the special aRr!-
cultural appropriation bill. which was
designed to force the President to for
bid by proclamation further manufac-
ture OF beer and light beverages.
Both the President and Mr.. Hoover
say there IL too much whiskey uncon-
sumei In this country to forbid tho sale
OF anything but whlskey. gin and such
liquors In It's saloons. A bone dry na-
ton as to beer and light beverages
would bring about suct, a situation.
The President said he was very
much distressed by the action OF the
House" He added that 1t was nett her
fair nor wise to attempt to put such
compulsion on the Executive 'in a mat
ter in which ne has already acted al
most to the limit OF his authority
whiskey and Gin Dasis.
Mr.. Hoover Is even more resentful in
a statement issued BY him. He says
"If the American people want prohibi-
ton they should prohibit BY legislation to
that end and not force the Food Admin
istration TO the responsibility for an
orgy OF drunkenness 1t 10 mighty DIFF
fcult to get drunk on ~ per cent.
beer: II will be easy enough II We force
O substitution OF distilled drinks for it
This statement follows one by Mr..
L. la NJ
whisSey. gin and other distilled spirits
still. on hand In this country, and with
the elimination Of beer and other
brewed beverages the nation will go
'pra ctically to whiskey and gin
basis"
The Presidents letter to Senator
Sheppard. one OF the prohibition leaders
in the Senate. was made public here
to-day. and the result Of the combined
opposition Of the President and Mr.
Hoover in all probability will Kill the
amendment in the upper chamber. This
amendment. voted by the House over
the protest Of the Committee on Agri-
culture. is pending before the Senate
committee.
Presidents Letter.
President Wilson'S letter reads:
my DEAR SENATOR: Thank you very
much for your letter OF the 26th.
Frankly was very much distressed
by the action OF the House. I do not
think that Il Is wise or fair to attempt to
put such compulsion on the Executive In
a matter in which he has already acted
almost to the limi: OF his authority.
What !s almost entirely overlooked Is
that there are as I am informed. very
large stocks OF whiskey in this country.
and It seems to me quite certain that II
the brewing OF beer were prevented en-
tirely. along with all the other drinks.
many Of them harmless, which are de-
rived from food or feed stuffs. the con-
sumption OF whiskey would be stimu-
lated and increased to very consider
able extent.
my own Judgment is that II Is wise
and statesmanlike to let the situati
stand as It is for the present until at
any rate ! shall be apprised by the Food
Administration that 1t Is necessary In
the way suggested still further to con-
serve the supply Of food and feed stufYs.
The Food Administration has not
thought II necessary TO 20 any further
than we have In that matter already
gone.
tnanK YOU most coruialIy, senator,
for your kindness in consulting me In
this matter which Is of very consider
able Importance and has very direct
bearing upon many collateral questions" !"
Randall Amendment.
The Randall amendment was spon-
sored by Representative Randall (Cal)
and was an unprecedented legislative
proposal. 1t provided .nat the funds of
continued ON Sirfh Pnnel