The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-03-22
prys Spring Surprise in
Favorable Report on
Compromise Bill.
PERMITS WINE AND BEER
Saloon Licenses to Be Lower,
but Hard Liquor Is to Be
TabOoed Forever.
sn,cini DespafcA 10 TnH SuH.

after December 81 is now the prospect.
Mer what happened In the Legisla-
,lre to-day it would not be a bad bet
tha, on next New Years eve whiskey
and all that sort Of hard stun would run
riot for the last time. And the temper
snce advocates are responsible for the
move. Having given up hope Of the
legislature ratifying Federal prohibition
s this session they are now backing a
bill barring after December 81 the traf-
n,king in all liquors except wines and
beers.
They sprung a surprise on the wets By
getting this measure reported from the
Committee on Taxation and Retrench-
nent. The measure Is the amended pro-
hbiton war emergency bill which was
Introduced earlier in the session. In its
original form it excepted wines and
beers but was to take effect September
81 and continue In effect until six months
after the war. The principal amend
ments provide that It shall be for all
time. even after the war ends. and shall
become operative at the end OF this
year
The amended bill was prepared with
ol, the knowledge Of the Senate leaders.
ss the result Of q conference held by
Senator's James a. Emerson. Republican.
o. Warren. chairman Of the Committee
on Taxation and Retrenchment repre-
senta,ives Of the Anti-Saloon League
other than Superintendent Anderson.
who was in New York city, and num-
ber Of dry Senators.
sure Measure VIII Pass.
Senator William II. Hill, leader Of the
tTy forces and intrOducer Of the Fed
sral prohibition ratification resolution.
kaid that besides the twenty-four Sena-
tors who have fought for prohibition
right along the hackers Of the bill have
pledges from four other members that
they viii support it. Assemblyman
Machold has agreed to Introduce the
measure in the Assembly and is con-
tdent that It will pass there.
Gov. Whitman. it is certain. would
tiE'l the bill In the belief that II ID bet.
ter to get such measure than nothing
At all The bill can become an en-
forceable law under the police powers Of
the State and a constitutional amend
ment is not needed.
senator Emerson. who always had
heen considered one Of the vets. said to-
BIT the use Of whiskey as a beverage
tIt that he did not believe in taking
sray wine and beer. When he an
bounced the report Of the bill from his
cNmmittee the vets were all taken by
surprise. Not even did Majority Leader
Zion II, Brown know about It, and a
dozen or more Democrats jumped to
Their feet and demanded to know when
hs Emerson committee met.
Senator Emerson declared that the
eomm!ttees record would show. that Il
mr. this morning and that \ majority
o. the members voted 10 report the
measure, In spite OF loud protests from
Senators Wagner. Cullen, Boylan and
Cot!llo. it was ruled that the bill was
property reported.
We'll it is all news to me-" said Sen
ator Wagner.
onl, Fer Cent. Alcohol In Beer.
The bill provides that there shall be
rot more than 3 per cent OF alcohol in
heer and that wine shall have the
amount OF alcohol that ts normal In it's
Production. 1t reduces the license tax
''r saloon keepers one-third and pro-
Ndes that the present volume OF tax
snail he on sales that are ten times more
than the amount Of the license, instead
o. fifteen times. Liquor dealers are to
have thirty days after the bill goes into
eject to dispose of all their distilled
liquors
The Senate passed the State constitu-
tiotal hone dry amendment by a vote Of
. 10 %. This measure will have to he
Passed by another Legislature and then
60 10 vote OF the people at the general
election in 1919
wet Republicans voted for it. while the
.'!s opposed it on the ground that its
oacSers are not sincere and that II in
tT'ered with the adoption OF the resou-
'on ra'fying Federal prohibition.
senator George B. wellington Of Troy
oarsed that the measure was drawn in
t1ch an offensive form that II would get
very Few votes at the polls. and he held
"at his was done purposely.
-. II VIII he bowling farce" ne said.
~ nave prohibition administered by
Ne" York state politicians ! want to
zee Prohibition administered by the Fed
,'d' ''overnment-that Is the only sure
w II has been my experience that
Nhen the State officials give orders to
fa!oon Keepers very little attention is
pa'G 20 them. but orders from the Fed
'sI government are always lived up to-
"o NOT intend TO be party to any such
n,hnam game as this. I am sure that
e'a's prohibition can do no good at this
uhN hut it will interfere with our get
u7e Federal prohibition. which Is the
only Kind that will prohibit"
P"rpleSrd ny Drys' Course.
senator Hin questioned the sincerity
y '"" u'Foduccrs Of the bill and said he
a' 'pno~ed to II because you can't test