Evening journal., 1919-07-02
CONGRESS TO AID
dry ENFORCEMENT.
House Dry Members Will
Push Bill to Enforce
Wartime Act
PALMER WILL APPEAL
BALTIMORE DECISION

WASHINGTON, July t.--hrIJrney-
GENERAL 4. Mitchell Palmer indlcased
definitely yesterday that the attitude
OF tle government toward the enforce
ment OF wartime prohibition had not
been altered by the Federal Court de-
cislon IN Baltimore requiring tho gov
ernmenl TO prove Pa per cent. beer In
toxlcating.
Mr.. Palmer made 10 plain that he was
standing pat for the present ON his an
nouncement OF Monday night which
warned all manufacturers and dis
pensers OF pa per cent. beer that the
pendency Of litigation would afford
them no protection from future pros
eculiOn in case the government won It's
suit TO establish that the sale Of any
thing containing more than one-half OF
one per cent. Of alcohol constituted a
violation.
Congress also moved yesterday to
stop the sale Of pa per cent. beer under
The wartime prohibition act.
Decisions OF Federal Judge Rose at
Baltimore i'm favor OF the brewers and
2& per cent beer and OF Federal Judge
Sawtelle at san Francisco against the
brewers and such beer threw the entire
legal status Of low alcoholic beer into
uncertainty.
The attorney general stated that an
appeal would be taken from the de-
cislOn Of Judge Ross In Baltimore and
the case ultimately carried TO the
United States supreme Court. He an
nOunced also that he expected 10 bring
similar cases in other states.
The most definite step Yesterday to-
ward the knocking out Of pa per cent.
beer however. was taken at the capitol
when the drys on the House judiciary
committee determined TO make an al
tempt 90 report out early next week a
separate bin for The enforcement OF the
wartime act.
This bin. it was stated, Will clearly
define intoxicating liquor as any
beverage Of more than one-half or !
per cent Of alcohol. Tie passage Of
such am act would effectively kill tho
sale Of the new brew and at the same
time do away with the necessity OF
further prosecution Of government
suits 10 determine the making Of "ln-
ioxicating liquors
The passage OF the proposed legis-
lation. Mr. Palmer declared, would
greatly simplify the enforcement work
Of the Department OF Justice. and he
hoped that such legislation would be
passed.
Because of the large dry majority
In Congress. the House committee
member, believe the bin can be rushed
through in "a week and give the attor-
ney general ample authority 10 put the
ban on the last hope Of the wets-the
light beer
Republican Leader Mondeil has given
his approval 20 the plan for separate
bill and has assured Chairman Nolstead,
of the Judiciary committee. special
rIle win be brought IN for its immedi-
ate consideration after the Fourth OF
lulv recess. Mr. Nolstead conferred
with several senators and said 10 was
the opinion that the separate measure
could be passed in short order before
Tho consideration Of the peace treaty
f. started by the senate.
Tile drys I'm the House now believe
the wells We're .slly advocates OF the
prohibition cause when they made sew
eral ATTEMPTS 10 report out separate
huls FOR enforcing wartime and con-
siitutional prohibition Three times
The drys on the committee voted down
me plan OF the vets. Now the drys
realize the result of their votes against
a separate lenient enforcement OF war
time prohibition unless additional leg
Islatlon can be passed soon. The we.is
fried 10 separate The bills when the
drvs were planning to make the dras-