Great Falls daily tribune., 1919-07-01
LIBERALIZATION PERIOD.

| Washington, June 30.-While Presi-
| dent Wilson's announcement that he
would not lift the wartime prohibition
ban until the army was demobilized pro-
voked a storm of varying comment IN
congressional circles, there are no in
| tain Immediately consideration by the
house of enforcement legislation.
| The general view was that there was
| law enough at present, and that the
house would adhere to the plan outlined
by leaders to let the prohibition question
60 over until after the holiday recess.
Members opposed to drastic provisions
of the measure reported out By the ju-
dietary committee, gave notice they
would endeavor to have these stricken
out on the floor.
From the other side came intimations
that in some respects the bill was not
strict enough and it was said an amend
ment would be offered to eliminate the
section which would permit citizen to
store liquor in his own home, and the
other clauses which would make ''use"
unlawful.
The president made it clear in his
statement that with the failure of con-
gress to act on his suggestion for re-
peal of the wartime law so far as it
relates to wines and beer, the effect of
pletion Of rehabilitation would be to
permit the sale of whisky until the coun-
try becomes dry" by constitutional
amendment January 16, 1920.
This means, according to Representa-
tive Randall, prohibitionist California,
that the country will be thrown into "a
whisky drinking orgy" which. he says.
the president surely does not desire In
order, therefore, to bridge the gap be
| IL e 4 al
the effective date of constitutional pro-
hibition. Mr.. Randall announced he would
introduce an emergency peace measure
to prohibit removal from bond, or trans
portation in interstate commerce, of any
distilled spirits for beverage purposes.
Mr.. Randall estimated that at the
earliest the army would not be demob-
ilized before October 1, at which time
there would be no beer in stock, and
that breweries would not open them.
The present composition of the mill
tary establishment is SO complicated, it
was said. that decision by the highest
legal authority would be necessary
The army is estimated today to num-
ber few thousand more than one mil
lion men, composed of regulars, national
guardsmcn in federal service, drafted
men and volunteer recruits who recently
enlisted for the one and three year per-
iods. The regulars, exclusive Of "dura-
ton of emergency men, include not
more than 10000 men and the recently
recruited class totals 81 600 leaving 9OO.-
600 as the number which apparently
must be discharged before demobiliza-
tion can be said to have been completed
and the president legally entitled to act.
The period required for demobiliza-
tion depends, it was said, within definite
limits, upon the size of the American
force left with the army of occupation.
Inc 100000 men now comprising the
A. Il. +. in France and Germany could
be returned by August 10 and the camp
machinery in this country is capable of
dlscharging the men as fast as the trans
ports can land them.
AS the marine expedition does not af-
feet rehabilitation plans it is the inten-
ton to replace this force entirely with
voluntary recruits.
Army officers expected to hear soon
that the Fourth and Fifth divisions Of
regulars had been again released by
General Pershing for return. In fact,
recent communications from A. E.. II.
headquarters list the various units of
these divisions as released"
With the exception Of the First to
fnth divisions inclusive. the only line
organizations still abroad are the 319th
engineers, the 314th train headquarters.
Ihe 5i4th sanitary squad and parts of
5r 1ne 5loth supply and ammunition trains.
Inc remember of the troops abroad,
ABOUT 2OO,OOO In ALL coml3k3se motor
companies, sales units and 6kilar SER
vice OF supply organizationsss r~ss..