The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1919-10-03
AGREEMENT ON
PROHIBITION BILL
Liberal Changes BY the Senate Still
Stand-Burden of Proof On
the Government

1 l.tC
Washington, Oct 2.-Breaking i
three weeks deadlock, Senate and
House conferences reached an agree
ment late yesterday on the prohibit
on enforcement bill Quick approval
Of the conferees' report / seXpeeted
~ leaders and the measure may 90
20 the President early next week.
The bin which establishes one-half
OF one per cent as the maximum alco-
lolc content of beverages, was pass
I'd by the house July % and by the
senate Sept. IS. The conference report
viii be acted on first by the Senate
20 which il will be reported Friday,
and then sent to the House
The bill will be returned from con
terence without fundamental changes
n it's plan fer strict enforcement both
If the wartime prohibition law and
the constitutional amendment by the
commissioner Of internal revenue and
department. of justice. Provisions for
manufacture and sale of Industrial
spirits and of spirits CT sacramento
and scientific use are retained
The Senate conterces succeeded in
retaining virtually every one of the 2S5
liberalizing' provisions adopted by
he upper house which comprise most
administrative features. The prin-
cipal liberal" amendment of the Sen
ate permitting home manufacture and
consumption of cider and light wines
vas approved, as was another Senate
amendment extending application of
The constitutional amendment to the
Panama Canal Zone.
In the principal conference dispute
over imposition of the burden OF
proof" in prosecutions, the Senate
managers were successful. The bill,
as agreed on provides that the govern
ment must bear the burden of proof
in prosecuting those selling beverages
by showing that the beverages con
cerned contained more than the alco-
holic limit Manufacturers, as provid-
ed both by the House and Senate bills,
must bear the burden OF proof that
their products contained alcohol only
within the amount prescribed.
No change was made by the con-
ferees in the provision which would al
low a man to have and consume in his
own liquor acquired before the law
goes into effect
Another Senate amendment accepted
was that striking out the clause pen
alizing drunkenness on trains, street
cars. automobiles, berries or other pub
lie ccnveyances.
The conference struck out the
House provision requiring physical eX
aminations by physicians of patients
before issuance of prescription for in
toxicating beverages and retained the
Senate Amendments providing for cen
sumption of intoxicants by patients in
establishments for the treatment OF
alcoholic addicts.
For expenses in enforcing the bill
the conferees reduced the senate ap.
uropriation of $3,500,OOO to $4,000,
600.
The Senate amendment authorizing
manufacture, and sale of near beer
and similar mat beverages contain
ing under one-half of one per cent
alcohol, were retained, but it is stip
ulated that ether names shall be used
for their designation than beer, ale
or porter.
Another Senate amendment written
into the bill regarding the exemption
of intoXicants stored in homes from
seizure was that providing residences
and homes shall include apartments
and hotel rooms used by such posses
sors of liquors, who are exempt from
the requirement to report to the gov
eminent stocks on hand Feb. 1, 1920.