Evening journal., 1919-02-04
"DRY'
BILL IS AMENDED
Portions Objected to by
DRY" Legislators
Are Changed
M'NABB OBJECTS TO
OUTSIDE INFLUENCES
Stan Correspondent.

Stan Correspondent.
DOVER. Del. Feb. 4.-Following the
attack made on IL yesterday by dry"
members. the Statewide prohibition
bill introduced in the House last week
by Representative Klair has been
amended TO such an extent at the dl-
rection Of representatives OF the Anti
Saloon League that even It's own
father" would not recognize the meas
ure, according TO a report circulated
around the corr doris OF the State
House this morning.
1T still has plenty OF teeth, how
ever" one member remarked. who
knew something OF the amendments.
The bill was dIsseoted at a conference
held last night In Dover, which was at
tended by George w. Crabbe. OF Baltl-
more. one Of the attorneys for the
Anti-Saloon League. the Rev. Z. C.
Pnettyman, local representative, and
others.
The bill. IL Is said. has been reduced
from 80 sections to 26 sections. Most
OF the features that some OF the dry"
members OF The General Assembly
themselves objected TO, have been tax
en- out, according 10 report. A far
as Is known the bill has been patched
up without the consent or personal
knowledge OF at least some OF the mem
bers OF the temperance committee, 10
which II was referred when introduced
last week.
Representative McNabb. In a state
ment on the floor OF the House this
morning. objected 10 interference with
this bill by persons outside Of the COM
mlttee OF which he Is a member. Rising
TO a point Of personal privilege Just
before the noon recess Mr.. McNabb in
quired OF Speaker Corblt II any addi-
tons had been made 10 the temperance
committee.
There have not" replied the Speaker
MIR. McNabb asked the same question
OF Representative Clendaniel chairman
OF the temperance committee who
gave a similar reply. Mr. McNahb then
stated that he had seen In the news
papers where the Rev. 2. C. Prettyman
had stated that the Statewide bill
would be amended.
"Wha. I want 10 know Mr.. Speaker
said Mr. MoNabh rs by what authority
does he make such a statementf Is he
member OF the commlttee2 / think
II Is about the height Of nerve for him
| 20 proclaim that the bill Is TO be
amended II amended II will be by mem
bers Of the temperance committee. /
resent this dlctatorial method OF out
siders."
Il Following the adjournment OF the two
houses yesterday afternoon there was
a spirited argument in the House Cham
Der among the members and "dry"
lobbyists on the proposed Statewide
prohibition bill. The Rev. Mr. Pretty
man and George w. Crabbe, OF Balti-
more, superintendent Of the Maryland
and Delaware Anti-Saloon League, in
formally discussed with the members
the features OF the bill under flre.
One OF the amendments made, II IS
understood. Is that section that would
allow search OF houses for liquor with
out a warrant or writ being Issued.
The search and seizure" clause,
was unconstitutional Mr. Crabbe, one
OF the superintendents for the Anti
Saloon League In conversation with a
member Of the House in the House
chamber yesterday afternoon, follow
Ing adjournment, stated. II Is claimed,
that II a member OF the body. he would
not vote for a bill that contained such
a provision. He did not explain, how
ever, how the provision come TO be IN
the bill Several sections putting the
| burden entirely on the attorney-general
/ 10 prepare blanks. etc. for carrying OUT
| the provisions. have also been ellmln-
ated. II Is said.
The. amended bill, it Is said. will de-
| lne liquor the same as II Is deined IN
the Loose anti-shipment bill, but which
- th.- lnrfrinnl hill
Other changes in the bill are the drop
ming ont OF the section which would
make lt unlawful for a druggist TO sell
speolfled patent medicines and Jamaica
ginger EXCEPT under a physicians pre-
scrlptlon, although these same medi-
cines are allowed under the Federal
pure food act. That portion Of the bill
under which a man II caught taking a
drink or found to be intoxicated and II
fined would have 10 furnish a $1,000
bond not 30 take another drink. has
been amended, according to report. The
amendment will leave II optional with
| the court as 10 the demanding Of a
bond and would reduce the amount TO
$1,000 Numerous other whole sections /
have been stricken out, Il Is said.
The bin even as amended win find
tough shedding in both branches Of the |
House. Many "dry" members in view
OF the Federal amendment having been
adopted do not see the necessity Of any |
more legislation In this State on the |
question.
Representative Lyons. Of Whining
ton, was bombarded with kilograms |
and letters today from church organi-
cations and others In Wilmington, urg-
ing him to support the original bill. |
One prominent man, in a letter to Mr..
| Lyons. told him that he probably did |
not understand the bill and that it was
not as drastic as Mr.. Lyons thinks II 10 |
be. He added that 1--WE" (meanlng the I
"drys") send no measures to Dover ex-
cent those that are exactly right. Mr.. |
! Lyons resents such letters. He points /
out that he probably knows much mo e |
! than the writers as 10 what the blu |
contains and understands 1t better, as
he has thoroughly studied 1t and made
his objections plain TO Mr.. Prettyman. !
IL Is likely that sometime this week
motion will be made in the House
providing for the printing Of 5000 cop |
les OF the bill as the members feel that |
every citizen Of the State should thor
oushIy understand It before definite
action is taken. i
Early this afternoon the amended
bin had not reached the Temperance /
committee. to which committee 1t was
referred. The Rev. E c. Prettyman I
was not around the corridors Of the
c,ata uousa fhis morning and 10 was