New-York tribune., 1919-07-05
Drys Alarmed by
Poor Prospects of
Enforcement Law
Attack Compers's Exposure
of Michigan Conditions
and Deny Chance of Veto
to Bolster Up Confidence
Ne.o Yorl; Tribune
WASHINGTON Bureau

WASHINGTON, July 4.-Evdence
that the "drys" are not overconfident
concerning the prohibition contest ap-
preaching in Congress next week accu-
mulated to-day as the result Of attacks
by "drys" on Samuel Gompers. new de-
malls that President Wilson would veto
the war enforcement legislation and
continued reports of friction between
Republican Leader Mondell and Chair
man Volstead of the House Judiciary
Committee, whose omnibus bill will be
taken up the first thing next Tuesday.
"Mr Gompers's statement is a rehec
etion upon the patriotism Of loyal, sober
workingmen. 1t does not represent
them" declared Wayne B. Wheeler.
general counsel of the Anti Saloon
League, tonight.
"If every 100 per cent American will
read the official report just filed by
the Senate Judiciary Committee, on the
brewers and the pro-German propa-
ganda and the corrupt methods used by
.ne brewers to perpetuate their indus
try, it will strengthen his determina-
ton to be loyal to his country and op-
pose the selfish, corrupt brewery prop
aganda to rescue beer from the grave
where forty-fve states buried it by
ratifying constitutional prohibition.
Points to Dry Majority
eff any answer was needed from
Michigan, it would be in the 100000
majority against the beer and wine
amendment at the last election. 1t
would be interesting to know who made
the investigation in Michigan and, who
co0perated with the Investigator in
Detroit
Chairman Volstead, Of the House Ju-
dietary Committee, said:
"Mr. Gompers had to so to dry
state to dig up his socalled antiAmer-
lean organizations that he blames upon
prohibition. To show how much his
statements mean, you can go into the
streets of the East Side in New York,
where people have always swum in
beer, and hear Bolshevik talk all the
time. How does Mr.. Gompers recon-
cile that with his claims?
"The trouble is that Mr.. Gompers is
wet, and he stands almost alone among
the leaders of men in this country
against prohibition"
1t also developed to-day that friction
still continues between House Leader
Mondell, who wishes to separate war
time prohibition enforcement from
constitutional prohibition, and Chair
man Volstead. The latter still insists
that his omnibus bill will be brought
up Tuesday unchanged, but it is now
conceded that before that time the
committee may find serious opposition
to that plan.
Crisis Expected Monday
The crisis in the three cornered fight
on the bill is expected to occur Mon
day, when minority report from the
House Judiciary Committee will be pre-
sented by Representative Igoe and
others. AS the result Of evidence and
arguments now being collected, it is
believed that this report viii either
strengthen Representative Mondell in
his stand or raise the issue in Con-
gress that the wartime enforcement
act seeks to enact new legislation even
beyond that in the constitutional
amendment.
1t also was stated to-day that, while
the House may act quickly on the Vol
stead bill, it might be two months be-
fore tho Senate could pass its bill and
obtain agreement with the House. With
the date OF probable demoblizaton be-
ing set forward nearly every week, it
is barely possible that the President
will be able 70 lift the ban on wartime
prohibition before Congress agrees.
Vets were further encouraged by
new dcnials by dry leaders that the
President would use the veto on war
time enforcement.
The suggestion that the President
Will veto the prohibition enforcement
act if it includes wine and beer is
brewery propaganda" Wayne p.