The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-22
MAY ADOPT PROHIBITION.
BY SENATE AS RIDER TO I'M.
PORTANT MEASURE.
President Wilson Understood to Have
Declined to Interfere i'm Much Dis
cussed Question.

Washington, June 19.-President
Wilson is understood to have declined
today to interpose active opposition
for the present at least to the Jones
amendment to the s11,OOO,OOO emer-
gency agricultural appropriation bill
providing for absolute prohibition
during the war.
The president is said to have taken
the position that, while he would have
preferred precipitation of the prohibi
tion question in separate legislation
he would not at this time interfere in
the matter, or so long as it does not
hold up final enactment of the emer-
gency agricultural bill or other neces-
sary legislation. Should it interfere
with such legislation, it is understood
the president might ask that the
amendment be eliminated.
Senator Smith of South Carolina
acting chairman of the senate agricuI-
ture committee, discussed the question
with the president late today after
cambridge Colby, representing Chair
man Hurley of the shipping board
had offered vigorous objection to alb
solute prohibition at the hearing on
the Jones amendment before the agri-
culture committee.
Mr.. Colby of the shipping board told
the committee that to take beer away
from shipyard employees would re-
duce their efficiency and result in a
reduction of new ship tonnage OF
about 25 per cent
In spite of this opposition prohibi-
ton leaders expressed confidence to-
night that the Jones amendment
would be favorably reported to the
senate.
The committee will meet again to-
morrow and Acting Chairman Smith
hopes to reach a vote before the end
of the day.
The opposition of the shipping
board to the amendment came as a
surprise to dry leaders. Mr.. Colby
told the committee that Chairman
Hurley and members of the shipping
board believed prohibition at this time
would prove a detriment to the ship
building as many wOrkmen think
beer drinking unharmful and essen
tial
Former Secretary of State Bryan,
TIE principal witness for the prohihi-
titnists, told the committee he favor
ed absolute prohibition, but thought
it should be brought about gradually
instead OF precipitately as the Jones
amendment provides. He also said
he would have preferred to have seen
it proposed in separate legislation in
Gtead of as a rider to an appropria-
tion bill. AIr. Bryan predicted that
even if Jones amendment is defeat
ed national prohibition is sure to
come.
Many other witnesses appeared be-
fore the committee both in support
and in opposition to the measure. Jo-
seph Proebstle of Cincinnati, general
secretary of the United Brewery and
Soft Drink Workers, presented pe-
titions signed by head of information.
al labor unions representing more
than 100000 union men, protesting
against the amendment.
Anna "A. Gordon, national presiden.
of the Women's Christian Temper
ance Union, Bishop James b. Can
non, Jr., chairman of the commission
on temperance of the social servic.
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
South, and Representative Randall
Of California, a dry leader in the
house, also supported the amend
ment.