New-York tribune., 1919-10-29

there are no property rights in liquor.
The Presidents veto cannot repeal
wartime prohibition. it remains on
the statate books. The heroics of the
Senator from Alabama are Impressive,
but nothing more"
6" am satisfied" said Senator
Thomas, chat many Senators and the
cation at least, that the owners of
liquor should have an opportunity to
dispose of their property. 1t is the
plainest principle of abstract justice
TO protect them against the confsca-
tlon Of Their property. The inherent
sense of justice insists there should be
chance to dispose of their goods and
save something from the wreckage."
Robinson Against 1t
mo benefit would be accomplished,
said Senator Robinson, "by substitute
ing prohibition for the peace treaty.
The treaty is a matter in which the
entire world is interested. No prog
ress has been made since the signing
of the armistice. Conditions through
out the world are such that the mill
tary victory may be transformed into
substantial defeat. The Senate
wrangles over minor details while the
world waits.
"a nationwide industrial war faces
the United States. In fact, it is at
pending in every branch of industry.
These are all charged to German prop
aganda."
Before I vote to override a veto,'
said Senator Borah. Il want to know
if the wartime prohibition act is con
stitutional. A number of laws. such
as the esponiage act. should have term
mated when the war ceased, whether it
is technically over or not. | want
another day to look into the matter.
/ don't want to displace the treaty, but
believe the debate is valuable to the
country if not to the Senate. Some of
us will continue this discussion until
the last vestigc Of the conspiracy that
made the treaty possible is disc Osed."
Up to Wilson, Says Spencer
"The necessity for wartime prohi-
bition has ended sajd Senator Spen
Ger, Missouri, "and the President could
now proclaim the army demoblized. 1t
is not necessary that the last soldier
should be mustered out. The war
ended long ago to all intents and pur-
poses snd within the meaning of the
law"
"The President might issue a proc
lamation now" said Senator Sterling,
"and declare the demobilization Of TIE
army concluded. He has full authority
under the law to do So"
IL desire to protest against the con-
struction that has been put upon the
law" said Senaor Norris, Of Nebraska.
"The theory of Congress was that
mobilization took place. The Presi-
dent cannot terminate the prohibition
law at any time He has no power to
declare the war ended and demobiliza-
tion completed. In a legal sense we
are at war with Germany just the same
as at an other time. The Presidents
legal advisers are right in telling him
he could not issue a proclamation now"
Senator Phelan proposed resolu-
ton, reciting a declaration of the
President IN speech, that the war was
ended, and expressing The sense of the
Senate "tha! for purposes of wartime
prohibition the war is ended" This
was knocked out on point of order.
Commenting upon the statement au-
thoriZed at the White House to the
effect that the wartime prohibition ban
would be lifted as soon as the peace
treaty is ratified by he Senate. and not
before then, Senator Penrose said:
THAT is about the cheapest piece OF
ward politics have ever seen played
in the White House There was not
prohibition bill. Every one knows THAI
the President has the power to lift the
wartime prohibition ban whenever he
sees fit after demob lization is accom-
pished
"The contention that he must await
ratification of the treaty is too nom
sensical for discussion. 1t has been
evident all along that the purpose of
the President in delaying the lifting of
the ban has been to force the Senate to
action on the treaty
This statement from the White
House giving. the superfuous assur-
ance that the ban will be lifted as soon
as the Senate has acted upon the treaty
simply provides furthe~ confirmation
of the Presidents real purpose-an at
tempt at coercion so farfetched and
feeble that it is ridiculous.
"The action of Congress in passing
the prohibition bill over his veto within
twenty-four hours constitutes hu-
initiating rebuff to the President, par