Arizona republican., 1919-07-15
Dry" Forces Weather All Storms Engineered By "Wets" Vote Down the Proposed PA Per Cent Beer Amendment By l5l to 90 Count

WASHINGTON, July 14.-Prohibi- ton forces took control in the house today, refused to permit vote on straightout motion to repeal the war time act, defeated overwheimngly an amendment providing for the sale ot "A per cent beer, and stood solldly against all attacks on the general en- forcement measure.
 Just as fast as one liberal amend nent was offered by opponents of pro- hibition it was voted down without ceremony, almost a triple vote, Tor the minority, fighting every inch Of ground, demanded division .after ayes and nays were called, and then asked for tellers. Before the house got through the first section of the first part of the three part bill, there was more dlsor- der on the floor than at any time this session.
 Would Make Members "Fess" Up
 The disturbance arose first during an attempt by Representative Blanton, democrat, Texas, to speak second 1 time against an amendment which would have given jury the right to define intoxicants, and was increased during an address by Representative l lkIdlilNdll, QSIiOCldNs NhooHeeSiN.'e who declared members voting dry should print in the Congressional Rec ord exactly how much liquor they had stored in their homes and offices.
 The real battle of, the day, however, was over the amendment to define a non -intoxicant as a beverage contain l ing two and three-quarters per cent alcohol, instead of one-half of one per cent, as written in the bill. Represen- tative Dyer, republican, Missouri, au- thor of the amendment, did not ask for this definition in the constitutional prohibition amendment, but simply in the war time law. In pleading for its adoption. MT Dyer declared 1t was what President Wilson had recom- mended to congress and would permit during the remaining period of war | time prohibition. the sale of light wines and beer, and might delay issuance of a proclamation by the president which would retsore the sale of "hard' liquors.
 There was round of speech making on this motion, an hour of it. with the 'drys" assailing it as an entering wedge and the .wets asserting that it merely would permit the, very thing the president. as commander-in-c -chiei of the army, had said was best for tho country for the next six months
 After two and three-quarters pel cent beer had been bowled over by | | record vote of l51 to e0-and this wa. about the relative division on al amendments-the prohibtionists wen after another amendment by Repre- sentative Igoe. democrat, of Missouri which would have stricken out all def hilton of intoxicants, killing his propo sal. 1S2 to S3.
 There was the utmost confusion a times, despite vigorous -whacks with { gavel. and some of the prohibition leaders applauded every movement il their favor. The galleries, filled large ly with women and officers of anti liqruo organizations. broke into ap plause when the house roared it's dis approval! of two and three quarter per cent beer.
 There were many references tt President Wilson during the debate and several speakers read this section of his message recommending repeal o the war time law so far as it related to the manufacture and sale of ligh wines and beer
 In lifting his voice for two ant three quarters per cent beer, Repre- sentative Rainey, democrat, of Illinois declared these were uncertain times that the people were in a pculiar stat of mind, and that poverty was causing more misery than alcohol.