Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-06-26
TEUT0NS SIDE. STEPP|NG TREATY
APPARENT RELUCTANCE TO SIGN
MAY FORCE ALLIED ULT|MATuM
WAR DRY BILL
Separated from Con.
stitutional Measure
Straight. Clean Cut War Time Bill to
Be Presented to House Today-De-
cision After All Day Session Of
Judiciary Committee

Washington. June s5.-A straight,
clearcut bill fer enforcement of the
war time prohibition viii be report
ed out tomorrow by the House Jul
dietary committee.
Decision to separate the wartime
enforcement neasure-sald TO he the
most drastic liquor bill ever present
ed 10 Congress-was reached alter
an all-day session. which was much
like marching up the hill and then
down again. A proposal that two
distinct bills be drafted was rejected
Yesterday but If was brought up
again today by Representative
Walsh. Republican. Of Massachusetts
and was pending when a motion TO
adjourn abruptly ended the discus
sion that was animated and heated.
There was no Indication as 10 how
the committee would have voted but
several of the leading prohibition
members agreed tonight that IN view
of the manifest differences between
the two issues and the possibility
that the sale Of beer and light wines
might be permitted until January by
Presidential proclamation. the wIsest
thing to do was 10 report out the
war time bill the first thing to7nor-
row and the constitutional bill later
in the day. In this way there is ev-
cry assurance. they said. that the
war time bill would be passed prob
ably by both houses before the end
of thesFnonth. at which time the dry"
act becomes effective.
An amendment by Representative
Steele. Democrat. of Pennsylvania.
which il was admitted later, would
have nullifed the entire law. got
through by a vote of 20 8. subse-
quentiy was reconsldered and de-
feated. 10 70 :. The amendment stip-
ulated that provisions Of the en-
forcement act, except as they relat-
ed to interstate and foreign COM
merce. should not be effective in
any state until ratified NY the peo-
pie. II was SAID tonight that one or
two members voted for the amend
ment as a Joke
When the committee adjourned
without acting on the Walsh. motion
for separate enforcement bills, Rep
resentative Gard Of Ohio. returned
to the House and introduced the en-
forcement bill offered Al the last SEES
sion. The committee measure that
will 20 to the House is considered
much more simple and more direct
and far less drastic than the general
bill. During the day Democratic
leaders IN the House made inquiry
of Chairman Nolstead rs 20 when the
liquor bill might he expected and
were informed that il might not be
ready before Saturday.
After more than a dozen commit
tee roIl-calls on various Provisions
none Of general public interest, Mr..
Walsh. Mr.. Gard ana others Jumped
actively into the fight with vlEor-
Gus demand tor separation of the
measures. Notwithstanding the pre-
vious action of the committee. Mr..
Walsh declared that the committee
ought to take the bull by the horns,
get the wartime enforcement bill
introduced a the last session before
the House and urge quick enactment
Then If the President wanted 10 lift
the ban il would only ne necessary.
he said. 10 suspend the act provId
Ing for wartime enforcement ana
not interfere with legislation affect
ing constitutional prohibition.
The committee. Mr. Walsh added.
then could go ahead and make ready
machinery for permanent prohibition.
Unless the questions were separated
there would ne no possibility Of en-
acting any law before July /. Mr..
Walsh declared adding that he would
go before the rules committee and
get d rule by which the measure
could be passed upon promptly and
without extended debate. Several
members Of the committee, including
Chairman Vol3tead. took PAL IN the
discussion that followed. A vote was
within sight, but the House gong,
calling members 10 a roil-call. sud-
denly ended the meeting
There has been no straight prohl-
bition and anti prohibition alignment
in the voting heretofore on the va
rious amendments. Some OF the ar
dent prohlbltionists have supported
amendments eliminating drastic fea-
lures. and they have agreed that II
is necessary to separate the meas
ures III order to get action before
the country goes dry next week.