Evening journal., 1918-06-28
Committee Votes
FOR PROHIBITION
Problem Referred TO Senate
for Decision by a Vote
of s to 3
NO BEER AFTER
THREE MONTHS

WASHINGTON, June 2s.-The ques-
tion OF wartime prohibition will be
fought out on the Senate floor as the
result Of action yesterday by the agri-
culture committee in voting eight to
three to report 10 the Senate a prohi-
bition amendment TO the Emergency
Food bill. The amendment, introduced
by Senator Norris Of Nebraska, as a
substitute for the Randall and Jones
bone-dry amendments, provides that
the manufacture OF beer shall cease
three months after the passage Of the
bill and the manufacture OF wines az
ter June 80, 1919, and that the sale OF
whiskey, except for export, shall cease
after June 30, 1919. The effect, there
fore, Is TO put the country on a whis-
key and wine-drinking basis within
three months, TO continue for the en-
suing nine months.
When the committee met yesterday
In executive session to decide its course,
It had before il the testimony OF Chair
man Hurley Of the Shipping Board
Postmaster General BurlesOn. Balm
bridge Colby, a member Of the shipping
Board, and others, to the effect that
prohibiting the use Of beer and light
Wines would be a risky experiment,
which might cause great disturbance
and curtailment Of output in shipyards
and munitions plants. The committee
quickly decided to put the matter up to
the Senate for final decision. Senator
Norris introduced the following amend
ment.
That from and after June 30, 1919,
after the approval Of this act and dur
ing the continuance Of the present war,
for the purpose Of conserving the man
power OF the nation and TO increase the
efficiency in the production OF arms,
war munitions. food aud clothing for
the army, it shall be unlawful to sell
for beverage. purposes, except for eX-
port, any distilled spirits. and no dis
titled spirits held in bond at the date
of the approval OF this act shall be re-
moved therefrOm for beverage purposes.
The Commissioner OF Internal Revenue
is hereby authorized and directed TO
prescribe rules and regulations, subject
to approval Of the Secretary OF the
Treasury, in regard TO the removal OF
distilled spirits now held In bond. FOR
other than beverage purposes, and for
the extension OF the time now pro
vided by law for the Withdrawal OF
such spirits from bonded warehouses
for beverage purposes. From any after
three months from the continuance Of
the present war, no grain, cereal, or
other food product shall be usd in the
manufacture or production OF beer or
other intoxicating malt liquor. From
and after June 30. 1919. and during the
continuance OF the present war. no
foods or fruits shall be used in the
manufacture or production OF vinous
intoxicating liquors. except for export.
ANY person who violates any OF the
foregoing provisions or any OF said
rules and regulations prescribed to car
ry the same into effect shall be deemed
guilty OF a misdemeanor and on convic-
tion thereof. shall be punished by a
fine not exceeding 5000 or by impris-
onment not exceeding two years. OF
both.
Senators who voted for this amend
ment were Kenyon. Norris, Johnson,
South Dakota); Gronna, Page, Ken
drick, Sheppard and Thompson. Those
opposing It were Wadsworth, Warren
and France.
The amendment expressed the view OF
the majority Of the committee that, in
stead OF lowering the efficiency Of war
workers, prohibition would increase 1t.
It Is upon this idea and upon the con-
servation Of man-power and Of food
thatsproponents Of the amendment will
lay the greatest emphasis in arguing