The Washington times., 1919-07-13
DRY LAWN
LEGAL, WON'T
STAND TEST,
VETS INSIST

Anti-prohibitonists have begun
their real fight to pull the teeth from
the pending prohibition bill when it
gets, to the Senate.
Indicating clearly that they would
resort to the courts and seek to have.
the measure declared unconstita-
tional, brewers, through Samuel I'm
tesmeyer, New York lawyer, urged
the Senate Judiciary subcommittee
on prohibition To change the bill as
it now stands in the House. a..
Dry Leaders Confident.
House dry, leaders, however, were
confident that the bill would pass and
would be held constitutional by the
courts. Efforts by Congressman lgoe,
leader Of the vets to bring the
House tight to head by a straight
vote on a bill to repeal the wartime
prohibition measure, were not Needed
ana adry" leaders indicated that they
would not permit such vote to be
taken.
CONGRESSMAN La Guardia of New
York charged that the organizations
behind the bill, with the exception OF
the W. c. T. L., did not want meas
ure that could be enforced, because
he stated. they did not wish to go out
Of existence. Congressman Goldtogle
~ New York said the measure was in
,apzble Of enforcement. Congressman
Hardy of Texas announced that he
v-onld vote against the measure be-
cause he did not believe a statutory
prohibition bill in time Of peace was
constitutional.
No Lid fitting Expected.
No fitting of the dry lid is expected
when the Senate subcommittee re-
sumes work tomorrow despite argu-
nents that AIS per cent beer is not
intoxicating.
Committee members said today
there would be no changes in the bill
which now provides limit Of one
half Of one per cent alcohol
More dry arguments will be heard
late tomorrow when Anti-Sa!oon
League representatives appear.
reconsideration of prohibition will be
she4ved tomorrow in the House pend
ing consideration Of the agricultural
bill vetoed Saturday by President
Wilson. who thus saved daylight saw
ing.
shows Crime Decrease.
Congressman Randall of California,
the only member Of the Prohibition
marty in the House. submitted clip
pings from Los Angeles and st. Louis
papers showing the decrease in crime
and arrests since wartime prohibition
became effective.
Debate in the House ragged all day
on both sides of the measure. Lead
ers said they do not expect vote
until late next week. Tuesday, it is
expected. amendments will be con-
sidered and il is then that the real
fight will begin. for ''wets" are ex-
pected to propose measures designed
20 rob the bill of its teeth or to make
it so extreme that the courts will
Iesect it.
IF we can prevent sale OF intoxi-
c2ats on the premises we could pre-
vent its sale anywhere" Senator
Walsh of Montana argued.
Entermeyer said he did not believe
Congress had authority to do either.
but assuming it has constitutional
power implied in the pending bill, the
wiser course would be to regulate the
saloon out Of existence.
Can Prohibit Water.
This would be more effective and
would avoid legislation which permits
the rich man to stock his cellar but
denies. the poor man a drink that
until recently was considered a food"
Untermeyer commended.
Colored water that looks like beer
could be prohibited under enforce
Hlent powers of Congress, Senator |
walsh declared.
IF water were so colored as to be |
easily indistinguiShable from beer, |
then / have no doubt that Congress |
would have power TO prohibit it," he |
declared.
II Congress wants to legislate as |
20 alcoholic percentage, Untermeyer /
suggested IL fix a reasonable amount |
and declare it ''presumptive" Of being |
Intoxicating.
Ny quarrel" said Untermeyer, "is \
your attempt to declare whatever you |
0ieSse an intoxicating liquor"
In answer to the statement that the /
vide prohibitive measures are direct /
I'd at camouflage liquor Untermeyer |
declared that tea and coffee should |
be outlawed because they may be |
made to conceal alcohol.
Untermeyer urged amendment OF /