The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-06-28

FIGHT WINDS
Up IN HOUSE
JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
UNLOADS RESPONSIBILITY
Committee Reports General
Enforcement Measure Re-
fusing to Split

WASHINGTON. June 27.-'The wholc
question Of prohibition enforcement was
transferred today from the judiciary
committee 10 tn" house. without promise
or assurance Of spccly consideration.
general enforcement measure. en-
bracing both wartime and constitutional
prohibition nut together in such a way
way as TO let one stand Independently
cf tho other was reported out by vote
Of Il to . after the committee had re-
fused TO split into two separatt ana o's-
tinct parts. But this vote did not ac-
curately represent the sentiment or the
comn,ittce. some members Of which vii!
send in a minority report and insist upon
the elimination of some OF the drastlc
provisions.
Backed up by representatives from
districts outwardly hostile to wartime
prohibition. the minority Will attempt
flying wedge fight in the hopt OF 90
amending the wartime enforcement Dill
as n pcrmit the manufacture and sale
or o% nerccnt hccr. While the prohioi-
tjon leaders claim to have sufficient
votes to put tho bill through without
substantial change. they conferred In
formally tonight to decide upon a plan
Of action, believing that there was no
indication that the president oetore
July /. would issue a proclamation &c
claring demobilization and wartime
prohibition ended.
Anti-prohihition forces in the house
counted heads today and agreed to put
up a desperate battle for wholesale moo-
incations Of several sections. There was
wide difference Of opinion among mem
bers tonight as to how aoon tne nEnt
n
mally reported out late today. Chairman
, Volstead ANNOUNCED that he would ask
/ for a rule giving it the right Of way nut
! ,tronr objection developed. The general
view was that the bill would not De
called up in tho house. until July I. a.
| tho earliest. and how long the tlSh'
| wuold last no onc Ycnturcd prcdiction'
| There was little disagreement. however
! on the bills ultimate passage Tor tne
! house is counted dry" hy big margin.
| Some Of tho prohibition members
, pointed out that there was no great oi-
! vision cxccpt on thc definition Of intox-
icatinG liquor and while they expected
strong effort to raise Tho percentage
from one half Of ono perceAt they ex-
PRESSED every confidnco that in this re-
| spcct the hill would be passed as drawn
| by the committee and as endorsed py al:
| or tho anti-liduor organizations. Inc
! battle will be for "a percent beer.
/ Refusal If tho house majority leaders
, TO give tho bill special rule Tor imme-
! diaic consideration was due, thcy eH-
| planned. TO failure Of IN" comwittce 10
! send in war time rrohlhltion ehlorc
, mcnt bill by itself. Had this bcen dohc'
,bey said. Il could have been passed In
; dsy hut thcy declared unwillingness TO
! rush through tho JOINT measure without
! giving ample opportunity to debate on
! lis far-roaching ScCtionG.
| II is not at all unlikely that an ettort
! will hc made to separate bodily the war-
| time and constitutional measures. de-
! scrihcd nv somn members as the Sla
mcse twins Of prohibition legislation
. and cndcavor tn pass the former inca
/ sure for which there is pressing demand
| and lot tho other wait. Even as the
: joint measure stSnds II contains cnd
! mar, or title which would take ctfecl
| after its approval and two that woulo
not become effective until January To-
! 1920
! There will ho ample time for members
| 10 outline their plan Of attack ana DE-
! fcnsc. for tho h"us" plans 10 adjourn
! carly next week after dsposing or tho
! last Of tho supply bills carly next week.
I until Iuly :.
chairman Volstcad will send his re-.
rort on tho enforcement bill u Inc
! house tomorrow. but tho minority report
! NAV not got IN quite 50 early
Tho iattcr will he signed by Represen-
! taiivos Gard. Ohio: 1goc. Missouri: and
! steele. Pcnns sylvanla. all Democrats;
| Over. Republican. Missouri: and POSSIBLY
, others Whllc voting with IN" majority
Mr.. Gard announced that he would pre-
r,arc a minority report attacking nr'n-
lripally tho provision that c'''hen
| shau NOT possess" liquor, and other
I features,