Evening journal., 1918-05-22

HOUSE Starts FIGHT
TO Close BRENER|ES
Votes, 60 TO So Against Use
of Foodstuffs in Light
Wines or Beer
WOULD COMPEL
WILSON TO ACT

WASHINGTON, May "a movement
whcih has been slowly but steadily
gaining the momentum here, largely
through the efforts OF prohibition pro-
pagsnda, found unexpected e expression
in the House yesterday IN the adoption
OF an amendment which practically
would force the President TO issue
proclamation forblddipg the use OF
food materials for the production OF
alcoholic beverages.
The effect OF this would be TO stop
the brewing OF beer, which has been
the object OF the movement that mas
spread throughout the country. The
same thing was attempted when the
food bill was up last summer, and was
only defeated when the President in
public letter let II be known conclu-
slvely that he was not In favor OF stop
ping the manufacture Of beer
As result OF the compromise then
reached the food bill placed such
action within the discretion Of the
President, Section IS providing that
Whenever the President shall md That
Limitation. regulation or prohibition Of
the use OF foods, fruits, food materials
or feeds in the production Of malt or
vinous liquors for beverage purposes
or that reduction Of the alcoholic con-
tent OF any such malt or vinous
liquor is essential in order 10 assure
an adequate and continuous supply Of
food or that the national security and
defence will be subserved thereby he Is
authorized from time 10 time TO pre-
scribe and give public notice Of the ex-
tent Of the limitation. regulation, pro-
hibition or reduction so necess!tated.
Since the power was lodged in the
hands Of the President many petitions
have been coming in here asking the
President 10 exercise II. Members Of
the Cabinet hsve been circularized by
churches and temperance organizations
with the argument 4 was unfair 70 ssk
the people 10 Rooyerize and at the same
time allow the brewerles 10 make food
grains into beer.
The step taken in the House was
most unusual in that the amendment
adopted provided that none OF the funds
authorized in the agricultural appro-
priation bill amounting 10 sii,0000Oo
should be expended until the President
had issued a proclamation such as Is
provided for in the food law.
The amendment was offered by Rep
resentative Randall Gall, Prohibition
ist, and was adopted by vote Of 60 to
IS by tellers.
A roll call on the amendment is pos
sible before a passage Of the bill.
The amendment reads:
no part Of this appropriation shall
be available for any purpose unless
there shall have been previously issued
.he proclamation authorized by section
IS Of the act to provide further for the
national security and defence by stiniu-
lating agriculture and facilitating the
distribution OF agriculture products
such proclamation being the prohibi-
ton OF the use Of foods. fruits, food
materials or feeds in the production Of
malt or vinous liquors for beverage
purposes
This amendment followed an appro-
priatlon Of se. 10000 csrried in the bill
for increasing food production and
eliminating wsste and promoting con-
servation Of food by educ ational and
dem onstrationAl methods through county
district urban agents and others"
The bill under debate carries approxi-
rnately sii.0O00OO for stimulating food
production and the eradication Of dis
eases and pests in live stock TO be ex-
pended by the Department Of Agricul-
ture. II is one Of the most important
measures before Congress.
Representative Randalls move is to
deny the Department Of Agriculture
Ell 10000 in additional appropriations
il is urgently seeking until the Presi-
dent shall issue the proclamation for
complete prohibition.