The Washington herald., 1918-06-26
DANIELS SAYS
YES, HURLEY NO,
ON DRY REGIME
Administration Split on
Prohibition Amend
ment Issue.

An absolute split in the Admin
istration on the prohibition ques-
tion was evident yesterday. Al
though Postmaster General Bur-
son, Chairman Edward N. Hur-
ley. Of the Shipping Board. and
cambridge Colby, Q member Of the
board. all pleaded with the Senate
Agricultural Committee not to re-
port the Jones bone-dry amendment
favorably, Secretary Daniels insist
ed that prohibition was the only
proper solution Of the liquor ques-
tion.
Mr.. Hurley. like Mr.. Colby, de-
clared that taking away light wines
and beer from the shipyard work
ers would cripple the merchant ma
rine program. The Secretary said:
Il believe there II an increased
efficiency in dry territory"
Samuel Gompers, president of the
American Federation OF Labor. and
generally allied with the admins
tration, said he had been an op-
ponent Of prohibition for forty
years and would continue so.
Another against the Jones amend
ment was Percey H. Johnston, vice
president of the Chemical National
Bank Of New York, and chairman of
l'the Bankers Committee. interested
in the bill. More than $3.50, ,OOO, 900
of bank credit founded on the liquor
trade would be lost, he said, II the
amendment passed.
Hurley Insists.
TT private interests alone were
affected. 1 would welcome the ex-
pertinent" Mr.. Hurley told the COM
mittee. But 1t IL the country's
business, and am unwilling to
stand sponsor for such an expert
ment with the personal liberty of
nearly 100000 men in the shipyards.
If the committee knew the pains
we have taken to produce the right
spirit and unity in the shipyards,
and the advantage the nation de-
rives, I do not believe 1t would re-
port such q measure
The sudden taking away of light
wines and beer from the large for
efsn element In the shipyards will
have a wrenching effect on the
whole program. It will puzzle thou
sands of temperate foreigners, ac-
customed merely to a glass of beer
or wine with their meals. The
shipyards do not tolerate employees
who overindulge in stimulants. So
the chief effect of the amendment
would be to call a sudden halt on
the daily routine of hard-working.
sober men.
I'VE cannot afford to take chances.
No nation engaged in this world war.
either ally or enemy, has attempted
such an experiment. The work of
the moment Ia too important to di-
vert into an investigation Of the frail-
ties Of human nature. We must put
all the smash and drive we've got
INTO this war, and put aside nones-
sential experiments, IL we are to
wiring victory from the Huna''
Daniels supports.
He opposed the amendment, he
said. because It would become an
issue In every Congressional district,
and would disturb the public mind.
Another objection .he urged was that
the amendment would constitute class
legislation, for, with wine exempted
as the amendment proposes, the rich
could buy. and the poor would have
to go without their beer.
Men employed in the production OF
alcohol are not employed in the
prosecution Of the war; we should
not use a bushel Of wheat for any
purpose but the war;" said Secretary
Daniels
II am sure the so-cailed dry order
In the navy yards has increased their
efficiency"
Prohibitionists from Detroit told the
committee that efficiency In the-auto-
mobile city had much increased since
that community went dry. The com
mittee may hear Charles NJ. Schwah
today. On Thursday, another vote