The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-20
BOMB IN CONGRESS-
Urge for Wartime Prohibition
Repeal Stirs Capitol Circles.
Heavy Dry Majority VIII Be
Big Barrier to Plan.
PROHIDITIONISTS ARE FIRM
We Will Not Yield, Sheppard
and Randall Assert.
congressman Welcome Refer
ence to Return of Railroads.

Washington. May 2O.-President
Wilson threw a bomb" into congress
today when he advocated repeal or
amendment of the war time prohibit
ton act.
with a heavier dry majority than
existed last session, congress leaders
declared it would be a difficult matter
to lift the beer and wine ban.
Dry Leaders VIII Not Yield.
Il am astuunded." said Representa-
tive Randall. California, house dry
ledusr However, l do not believe
the Democrats or Republicans Will
burn their fingers with prohibition
just before d presidential election"
Senator Sheppard, dry leader in the
upper branch, was equally OutspOkeh.
we viii not yield even tins much, ne
said. emphatically. president Wilson
evidently thought he had power to
sci aside the war time prohibition act
with respect to wine and beer without
further legislation but finds he cannot
do It. In my opinion, the legislation
will be long time coming.
Other dries united in saying that
public opinion would not stand for
change in the law.
Rails Excite Interest.
Next to war time prohibition, the
presidents reference to the return or
the railroads claimed most interest
among congressman.
His plans give congress something
to shoot at" Representative Esch,
Wisconsin. chairman Of the house IN
terstate commerce committee, be-
Heved.
a definite basis upon which to
work now has been provided. Con-
gress knows what the administration
proposes to DO" he said. And we
will be ready with appropriate legis-
IatIon So far as the house is con-
cerned there VIII be no delay in en-
acting laws covering the subject"
Esch said the committees first
task was that of "Cumbing the good
from the various plans for railroad
legislation which have been put for
ward. He believed there was no sem
timent in the committee for straight
government ownership nor was the
other extreme to be considered.
Senator Cumnins. who will head
the senate Interstate commerce COM
mittee, said that long before the date
tho president set. congress will have
settled the railroad question thru ap-
propriate legislation.
Cut shipping Board Powers.
Commenting on the presidents ref
crence to commercial legislation, Rep
resentative Greene, Massachusetts. said
repeal Cf war powers of delegates to
the shipping board VIII be one OF the
first questions to be taken up by the
house merchant marine and fisheries
committee. He said the shipping board
should be placed on . practical bust
ness basis" 50 that extension Of trade,
both foreign and domestic, might have
adequate assistance.
Green will also propose a concen-
tration of effort in the extension of
trade.
81 think it very good message"
said Minority Leader Champ Clark.
Representative Kitohin, North Car
DINA, said the message was very fine
and timely" He said he was not
ready to talk on the tariff and tax
features.
1T IS the message of an interna-
tionalist. temporarily residing abroad"
said Representative Longworth, Ohio.
"A number If presidents sugges-
tiOns are embodied in the legislation
program agreed upon at the Repub-
lean conference Saturday." Republic
can Leader MondelI said