The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-12-19
HOTEL MEN TO WAR
UPON BONE DRY BAN
Will Base Opposition to
Amendment on Its Alleged
Unconstitutionality.
OJrIGG OUTLINES DRIVE
Campaign to Be Waged to
' Keep 10 States From
Ratifying 1t.

The hotel men who have beer drawn
here from all parts OF the country by
the National Hotel Mems Exposition in
Madison Square Garden laid plans yes
;erday for massed opposition to the
bone dry amendment to the Constitu-
ton following an attack by Lemuel E.
ouigg on the measures legality.
This concerted line up of forces was
begun under the direction of Mr..
ouigg, who has been retained by the
hotel and allied interests for year
past to prepare material against the
proposed amendment The hotel men
planned TO concentrate their efforts on
the public and the Legislatures of the
thirteen States necessary to defeat the
amendment. Fifteen States already
have ratified it.
The Federal Constitution requires
that three -fourths OF the States shall
ratify an amendment to the Constitu-
ton. There are forty-eight States in
the Union anu thtiSlOio IL I'M bSciA
decline to make the ratification the
amendment is lost.
Committee of Three Named.
A committee of three prominent
hotel keepers, with power to increase
their number. was appointed at a
closed session. This committee and
the other members of the American
Hotel Association decided to wage war
on the enactment on the basis OF vital
facts and principles brought together
under the supervision of Mr.. Quigg
and presented by him to the conven-
ton yesterday.
"There are three phases of this ques-
ton" said Mr.. Quigg, affecting the
constitutionality OF the proposed
amendment. In the first place, what
did the Constitution mean when 1t said
Congress should present such an
amendment only when two-thirds OF
both houses deemed it necessary? Did
II mean two-thirds of the full men,
bership Of both houses?
Il think it did. Yet the bill was
passed by two-thirds of those present
Q quorum being present. 1t was not
two-thirds Of the membership. as
think the Constitution intended.
''1n<Nhe second place. in the body Of
the amendment, put to the States, il
declares that it shall not be effective
unless three-fourths OF the States have
given their approval within perioC
o; seven years from the date OF sub
mission. In the Constitution is the
statement that an amendment shall
become law whenever three-fourths OF
the States have given their approval
In other words. this amendment place:
time limit on its approval, which i!
not authorized by the Constitution.
Doubts Legality of Rider.
In the third place, the words of TIL
enactment submitted are that Congress
shall have concurrent power with TIL
States to enact legislation under tn
amendment. II they have that con
current power. cannot Congress max
one rule for the enforcement OF tn
amendment and cannot each Stat
make another, all differing from one
another and from the rule which Con
Gress makes? IF these rules conflict
what rule is the citizen to follow"
Mr.. Quigg also expressed doubt as I
the legality of the prohibition rider 4
the agricultural bill.
The purpose Of the BILL" said tn
lawyer, was to appropriate money 70
June 80, 1919, for the defence Of tn
country while at war and to conserv
It's man power and promote efficienc
in the manufacture of munitions, foo
and clothing. 1t directed that for thos
purposes there was to be no distillatio
and sale of liquor until after June 81
1919, or until the end OF the war O
until the rehabilitation of troops,
he .d1ssterminid and declared by tn
When Congress enacted that leg
islature we were already dissolvn
gu. army, emptying our cantOnment
and cancelling our contracts for mu
n.tions and food. Congress knew thii
and there is nothing else to say tina
4 was manifestly an insincere pleC
Of legislation. The question is, ca
an act Of Congress in so irsincere
way destroy business and take ava
property to the extent of $1,500,000
600 without paying for it,"
Would End "CraEy Cabaret"
Other men who addressed the NEE
and who were in full accord wit
Mr., QuigG, were John f. Fitzgerald
eK-Mayor of Boston, and Edward
TIerney. secretary OF the New Yor
State Hotel Mems Association.
The abolition of the 'crazy cabs
ret' and the strict regulation {
dancing We're advocated by Henri
california Hotel Mems Association.
Prohibition is the big Sroblem
he told the hotel men. ITS solutiG
=, In your hands. Along with abo
.>h!ng OF the crazy sort OF cabare
and the 'dippy dances l would pei
S'nally be in favor of limiting Il
SAFE OF liquors in the cabarets
"eer and light wines. believe Il
Fr"hibitonists would consent 10 II
sale Of liquor II what they call II
attendant vice was eliminated.
Eugene c. Eppley, who conducts
string Of hotels throughout the Yves
Wh' reelected president of the Hot
Mems Mutual Benefit Association
vi" United States and Canada, an
~ Is, BlatchfOrd of Chicago was MAJ
secretary. w. N. Robinson of the III
70" Baltimore. Kansas City, was r
"'t"d president of the American II
.'' Association. The Garden WI
nrned over last night TO the Ne
l"Fk Stewards Association.