The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1918-06-25
PROHIBITION
IS ASSAILED
Is a Greater Risk at Present
Than Conscription of La
bor, Says Hurley
A CATASTROPHE,
SAYS N. Y. BANKER
Postmaster Burleson Thinks
War Plans Might Be
Handicapped

Washington, ID. c., June 25.-Declar
ing the nation cannot afford TO conduc
experiments at this time, Chairman Hur
ley of the shipping board to-day oppose
absolute prohibition before the Senat
agricultural committee.
We've got to put all the smash an,
drive we've got into this war; declares
Mr. Hurley. We've got to fight, fgh
and still fight, with every muscle strain
ing and put aside non-essential expert
menting."
He said that in his opinion there woult
be more risk connected with prohibition
at this time than in the conscription o.
labor, as taking of beer away from
workmen would oe practical interfer
ence with labor. He added: Il dom
want to take any chances"
Mr.. Hurley, answering many questions
by prohibition advocates on the commit
tee, said the chief labor difficulties in
shipbuilding had occurred in the dry
territory 1t was brought out that 1885,
265 men are employed at shipyards in
prohibition states, and 300, ,l57 in wet
territory.
Mr. Hurley and other officials appeared
to support the statement made several
days ago by Bainbridge Colby, member
Of the shipping board, which led the COM
mittee to reopen hearings on the Jones
prohibition amendment to the emergency
agricultural bill. Mr.. Colby told the
committee that to take light wines and
beer from the workingmen would reduce
the output of American shipyards - per
cent
IF merely private interests were af-
fected," Mr.. Hurley said, Il have no hesi-
fancy in saying that / would welcome
the prohibition experiment. Any tenn
porary disorganization it might cause
would have its compensation"
Percy III. johnson, vice president of the
Chemical National bank of New York,
speaking for a committee of bankers
from the principal cities, told the com
mittee an absolute prohibition amend
ment forbidding the withdrawal of spir-
its from bend would result in financial
catastrophe. throwing many banks and
thousands of firms into bankruptcy
Mr. johnson estimated there are ESQ.,
100000 gallons of distilled liquors, valued
at $500, 900, 900, against which there is
between $200,000,000 and $3.50 900 900
obligations. Bankers favor
pTOnlUltlout Ue shlu, UuL lHef NAHt W sec
1t brought about without financial loss
md probably Is months would be re-
luired to do that
Postmaster General Burleson joined in
fear that prohibition at this
time might interfere with prosecution of |
the war. He said he was not prepared TO
say whether it was necessary to conserve
food, and suggested the committee CON
Ter with the food administration.
Secretary Daniels appeared to advo-
ate prohibition. He said his dry order
N the navy had resulted in increased
Efficiency and proved its value. IF we
must have saloons outside the doors of
he navy yards to increase efficiency of
he workmen you can say also it is nec-
ssary for the men in the navy to have
iquor,"
Organized labor is overwhelmingly OPP
'osed to absolute prohibition and to
ring up the question now is throwing
he apple of discord among the people Of
his country" said Samuel Gompers,
resident of the American Federation of
.abor.