Evening star., 1918-06-25
CHAIRMAN HURLEY
FIRMLY OPPOSES
ABSOLUTE DRY LAW
Continued from First Page,

NSofiilHueo lEOin fdKe.)
cold. unfeeling and cruel precision,
ignoring the individual except as a
part of its military science, has not
made the experiment; nor has Eng
land. fighting for its freedom; nor
France, fighting for its very life.
Cannot Afford to Experiment.
Nor can we. gentlemen, AFFORD to
experiment with a nations destiny.
We have had our backs to the wall
blow for blow. The German eubma-
rines set out to blow our small mer-
chant feet out of the seas.
"Responding to the nations call for
ships. the workmen in the yards have
been breaking all the records Of the
filled with enthusiasm. They will this
year more than treble the output of
last year. which was the banner year
of our history. We know what is
happening now. and. to put 1t frank
ly and simply, we do not know what
would happen under the proposed ex-
pertinent.
I'VE feel that the work of the mo-
ment Is too important for the diver
sion Of any energy into an investi-
cation or controversy over the frail-
ties OF human nature.
$50 Million Gallons Of Liquor.
Mr.. Johnston estimated there are
25o,ooo.ooo gallons of distilled liquors.
there is between 100000, 900 and and
s250,o00.000 outstanding obligations.
BANKERS favor prohibition, he said,
but they want to see 1t brought about
fifteen months would be required to
do that.
When Postmaster General Burleson
was called he said he knew pra ctically
nothing about the Jones amendment
and indicated he was rather surprised
to have been summoned as a witness,
Il think calling you as witness re-
suited from the fact that you tele-
phoned the chairman that II this bill
was enacted it would prove disas-
trous." suggested Senator Kenyon Of
Iowa.
Postmaster General States Views.
Il think that is putting 1t a little
strong" replied the Postmaster Gem
eral. who said. however. he did fear
that prohibition might interfere with
the prosecution of the war. He de-
scribed himself as IAN old fashioned
democrat" who has always believed
IN persona! liberty and states rights
and as a strong anti-prohibitionIst." !"
Deploring the discussion Of pro
hibition in connection with the com
ing elections, Mr.. Burleson declared
the prohibitionists should not can
italize war in order to bring about
their hobby.
Urged by Secretary Daniels.
Prohibition was urged by secrs.
tary Daniels, who declared his ia.
nous dry order in the Navy has re-
suited in increased proficiency. and
1t has demonstrated its value. The
great proportion of shipbuildets are
sober and Industrious men, and where
prohibition has been brought about
since the United States entered the
war there has been increased efficiency.
III you say we have saloons out
side the doors to the navy yards to
increase efficiency Of the workmen."
Secretary Daniels declared, 'Sou can
say that 1t also would be necessary
for the men in uniform to have
liquor"
Opposed by Labor, Says Gompers.
Organized labor is overwhelmingly
opposed to absolute prohibition, and
to bring up the question now is to
throw the apple of discord among
the people of this country" Samuel
Gompers. president Of the American
EadaratiOn nf .ohnr fn1H hA Aavn.