New-York tribune., 1919-02-27
Labor Leaders
Urge Passage
OF " Wet'' Bill
Drys Attack Beer and Wine
Measure Before Judiciary
Committees at Albany
Quigg Hits s'Fanaticism''
lanes p. Holland and f.. /.
Hanna Predict More Dis
content UnderP Prohibition

ALBANY, Feb. 26.-The vets and
drvs had another inning in the AS
sembly Chamber to-day before the
Judiciary committees of the Senate
and Assembly. Primarily the drys
came here to urge favorable consid-
Grafton Of their dry enforcement bill.
But they took advantage of the occa-
sion to attack the proposed legislation
permitting the manufacture and sale
of beers and light wines.
Labor leaders and others who favor
liberal Interpretation of the law
wore on their coat lapels buttons
bearing the legend
"No beer-No work.
The vets presented their side first
James P Holland. president of the
State Federation of Labor, was the
first speaker.
Labor" said President Holland
"objects to this bin because it is the
product of the same model and system
of thought which resulted in ratifca-
ton by this legislation of the so-called
prohibition amendment. contrary to the
wishes of a majority of the people,
Predicts Greater Discomfort
f. I. Hanna, representing the Cen
tral Federated Union of Greater New
York, said that passage of the dry en-
forcement bill would cause increased
discomfort among the people.
"There is tremendous unrest now
iiiYrr' ,hrnnG n hn ntr-y,' ,,
said Mr.. Hanna. "lt would be unwise
10 pass this Legislation at this time. 1t
would multiply the discomfort to such
an extent that no one could anticipate
the result
The chief speech against the meas
ure was made by Lemuel Ely Quigg, of
New York.
"Those persons who are behind this
legislation," said Mr.. Quigg. ARE drunk
and disorderly on the wine of their
own fanaticism.'
There was applause for this, and
then Mr.. Quigg began to pick the bill
TO pieces.
The title of the official who is tc
Public Welfare.'" continued Mr.. Quigg
1T is misleading and disgusting.
suggest. in anticipation of his future
activities, that he be called commits
soner on prohibition mandates and
regulations of personal conduct. For
they will not stop with this. if you give
it to them Next they will prohibit
smoking, and then Well have a fiat
against fishing on Sunday. and then
they will forbid US playing golf on
Sundays, and finally they will tell us
how often to go to church on Sunday"
Ridicules League messages"
Mr.. Qugg then read from the Anti
Saloon League organization paper, "The
American Issue" and called attention
10 designation by William H. Anderson
the state perintendent of the league
Of his annual reports as "messages.'
"Observe what he calls them. said
Mr.. Quigg, messages. thought
that only presidents and governors and
sovereigns used that word IN that
sense. Heads of the biggest corpora
tions in the country refer to similar
documents as annual reports -
Mr.. Quigg read from the messages
Of Mr.. Anderson showing that the lat
ter had said the league would put pres
sure on the elected officials to get
through It's legislation.
NO organization should be permitted
70 exist which resorts to such meth
ods." said Mr.. Quigg. II don't care
What they may be, prohibitionists, l.
W. VS. or Bolsheviki-for when you
give any Of them an inch they demand
Take the search and seizure clause
IN The bill. 1t permits an official of
tnis prohibition PERSONS department -
90 INTO poor mans home at any hour
OF the day or night if he happens to
i've IN an apartment house where there
IS store in the building to search for
whiskey or anything else, but rich
man, who lives in his own private
mouse, cannot be molested. This is un-
constitutional. You cannot discriminate
in this fashion"
Denounces Medical Clause
Mr.. Quigg then laid bare a little
Joker in the bill which would permit a
favored surety or bonding company =,
monopolize the bonding business Of ali
tersons required to take out bonds Nm.
Ger the provisions Of the proposed oct
Mr.. Quigg also denounced the pro-
vision Of the bill which required a
PHYSICIAN who prescribed alcohol for a
patient to state on the PRESCRIPTION