The sun., 1919-06-28
DRY ENFORCEMENT
BILL STRIKES SNAG
rommittee Sends Dual Measure
to House, Where Fight
Will Be Staged.
MINORITY REPORT COMING
Vets Line Up to Try TO Defeat
"Siamese Twins Of Prohi-
bition legislation"

WASHINGTON. June 2T.-The whole
ouestion of prohibition enforcement was
transferred from the Judiciary Commit
,.e 10 the House. without promise or
,ssurance Of speedy consideration.
general enforcement measure. en-
hracIng both wartime and constitutional
nrohibition, put together in such a way
az 10 let one stand independently of
the other, was reported out by a vote Of
II 10 after the committee had refused
20 split It into two separate and distinct
narts But this vote did not accurately
ronresent the sentiment of the commit
,se some members of which will send
N minority report and insist upon
| the elimination of some OF the drastic
provisions.
Backed by Representatives from dis
i ,ricts outwardly hostile TO war time
nrohIbtion, the minority will attempt a
living wedge fight in the hope of so
amending the war time enforcement bill
1 az 10 permit the manufacture and sale
~ 275 per cent beer. While the pro-
| bibition leaders claim TO have sufficient
votes TO put the bill through without
substantial change, they conferred In
formally tonight to decide upon a plan
Z OF action believing that there was no
indication that the President. before July
/. would issue a proclamation declaring
northumberland war time pfohibi-
| tion-ended.
Wet Forces Plan Battle.
Anti-prohibition forces in the House
counted heads to-day and agreed to put
| 10 a desperate battle for wholesale mod
iications OF severe sections. There was
wide difference of opinion among men,
bers tonight as to how soon the night
might begin. After the bill was formally
reported out late to-day Chairman Vol
stead announced that he would ask for
rule giving It the right of way, but
strong objection developed. The gen.
eral view was that the bill would not
be called up in the House until July Z
at the earliest. and how long the fight
would last no one would venture pre-
diction. There was little disagreement.
however, on the bills ultimate passage.
for the House is counted, dry" by n
big margin.
Some OF the prohibition members
pointed out that there was no great
division except on the definition OF in
toxicating liquor. and while they ex-
ptctcd strong effort to raise the per-
centage from one-half of / per cent
they expressed confidence that in this
respect the bill would be passed as
drawn by the committee and as Endorsed
by all Of the anti-liquor organizations.
The real battle will be for 2A per cent
beer
Refusal Of the House majority leaders
TO give the bill a special rule for i'm
mediate consideration was due. they
explained. to failure of the committee
TO send in a war time prohibition en-
fcrement bin by itself. Had this been
done, they said. It could have been
passed in a day, but they declared un-
willingness to rush through the joint
measure without giving more oppor-
tunity for debate on its far reaching
sections.
May Try to Separate Act.
It is not at all unlikely that an effort
will be made to separate bodily the war
time and constitutional measures. de-
scribed by some members as the ST.
amese twins OF prohibition legislation
and endeavor to pass the former meas
ure, for which there is pressing demand.
and let the other wait Even as the
Joint measure stands. II contains one
part or title which would take effect af-
ter its approval, and two that would not
become effective until January 16, 1920.
There will be ample time for members
to outline their plan OF attack and de-
fence, for the House plans to adjourn
early next week until July 7.
Chairman Nolstead will send his re-
port on the enforcement bill to the House
tomorrow. but the minority report may
not get In quite so early. The latter will
be signed by Representatives Gard
loho), 1goe (Mo.) and Steele (Pa.). all
Democrats; Dyer ONO. Republican, and
possibly others While voting with the
majority Mr. Gard announced that he
would prepare a minority report attack
Ing principally the provision that a citi-
yen shall not possess liquor, and other
features
There has been no attempt to disguise
the fact that members of the House are
undecided as to the whole prohibition
situation. There are SO many angles to
II that they frankly admit their con-
fusion, much of which has been due. they
declare, TO reiterated reports that the
President would lift the war time bar
before the law takes effect Monday
night. Chairman Volstead and members
OF the judiciary Committee were KEEP,
busy all day explaining to persons here
and elsewhere that the failure of Con.
eress to enact additional war time en-.
forcement legislation Immediately did
not mean that the Government was with.
out authority to deal with persons who
EEL liquor after Monday.
some OF the committeeman expressed
genuine satisfaction when informed thai
The liquor fight would be deferred until
The week after next.
Public'S Attitude VIII Count.
Both advocates and opponents of dras.
~. prohibition laws said sentiment In
tne House would be swayed to a con.
eneraole extent by the attitude of the
pubic and particularly liquor dealers In
ue period beginning next Tuesday. Re.
pofls that saloons in some of the large,
cues would remain open for the sal.
30 per cent. beer brought renewed
"aiHing Of the penalties now existing
"NNolt additional legislation, and
caused some members to predict thai
nnno'esaie violations might result ir
PRESIDENT Wilson delaying his demobili
aauon PROCLAMATION until almost the
y, ,o"s when constitutional prohibition 1.
me question Of whether the PresIden
S nouId have the power to repeal war tim.
poninltion by declaring demobilizatioI
S"piete was discussed In the House to
nay by Representative Hoch (Kansas)
Republican.
~ here seems to be a general belief.
o,, hoch said, that the President no