The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-09
DRY BILL SO DRY IT
SHOCKS DRY LEADER
Pou Calls VOlstead Measure
Most Oppressive in His
tory Of U. s.
BAN ON BEER ASSAILED
Enforcement of War PrOhibi-
ton Seen as Breach. Of
Faith by Small.
BAN ON BEER ASsAILED
Special Despatch 10 The sen.

SpeciaI DESPATCH 10 TnE sen.
WASHINGTON, July s.-Unexpected OPP
position from dry" members to the
terms Of the volstead prohibition bill
and to the combination of war time and
constitutional prohibition in one measure
developed in the opening debate on the
bill I'm the House to-day. Under rule
providing for twelve hours general de-
bate to be followed by the reading OF
the bill for amendments under the five
minute rule. a clear track was given the
measure in the House. an incipient fili-
buster or tendency to delay dying out
soon after the adoption of the rule.
Chairman voistead (Minn.), in charge
Of the bill. reported by the Judiciary
Committee, expects to reach reading
under the five minute rule Thursday and
obtain final action on the measure before
adjournment Saturday,
Short plain talks by Representatives
Pou IN. C.) and Small IN. c., Demo-
Gratis and outspoken "drys," attacking
the Voistead measure from different
angles. furnished the Republican "drys'
ity that behind such opposition would
grow a sentiment sufficiently strong to
separate war time prohibition from con-
stitutional prohibition by amendment
from the floor or to soften some OF the
more stringent restrictions of the constt-
tutional prohibition title caused Repub-
lican leaders to consider seriously the
advisability Of at least having the two
questions debated separately.
MI .-~to - ~
posing schools of thought in the House
was indicated by two roll call votes in
consideration of the special rule. On
the motion to put the previous question
the "drys" won. 229 to IS. with four vot-
ing present. The vote on the adoption
OF the rule went with the "drys" by 235
to So, one member voting present.
VETS Plan Delays.
Indications Of dilatory tactics on the
part OF the wet leaders cropped up when
Chairman Volstead made the customary
request for unanimous consent to dis
pense with the first reading of the bill.
Representative SABBATH Oll) objected.
whereupon Mr.. Nolstead moved that the
first ,reading be dispensed with. AS
this would involve change of the rules
of the House. which require that a bill
be read three times, point of order
of Representative Crisp (Ga.) against
the motion was sustained and the bill
was read in toto before the House could
resolve itsalf into committee of the
whole and get down to debate. Then
followed points of no quorum by Rep
resentatives SABBATH, Caldwell IN. "
and Griffin IN. " whenever the at
tendance on the floor dwindled sufri-
GENTLY to Justify such move. Finally,
however. these tactics were abandoned
IN face of threat Of stricter legislative
gag tactics.
Debate on adoption OF the rule de-
velored the first unexpected detection
among dry forces.
I'm all the history of this Government
never has there been a more drastic.
q more far reaching and in my humble
Judgment. more oppressive measure
than this BILL" declared Representative
Pou, ranking Democratic member OF
the Rules Committee. himself a con-
scientious prohibitionist. "a young
friend OF mine reminded me a while ago
that at one time In the history of Eng
land there were more than 100 capital
offences and he also reminded me that
the historian says that at the time these
120 capital offences were part of the
law Of England there was more crime
there than ever before
Now here you have a bill that
makes practically everything a viola
ton of the law. The old woman at
home who makes a quart OF ackberry
wine for her own use can be prosecuted
and sent to jail. Gentlemen, are you
willin gto stand for Il? For my part
! would be ashamed of myself II / stood
for such a measure as l believe this
to be. Now vote for II and pass II
as you are going to do and then your
trouble is going to begin. While ! am
standing here they tell me that In four
or five States there are more Illicit
stills In operation than there ever were
saloons at any time IN the history OF
those States. You had better go abou,
this thing In a reasonable way. In my
humble judgment the State Is the larE
est possible unit OF enforcement There
are communities where people have
been educated from childhood to drink
beer. to drink light wines. You propos,
TO regulate the morals Of these people
in one measure here.
Amendments Are Needed,
"Gentlemen. I would be ashamed o,
myself II did not have the courage I,
stand here and fight such measure as
this. i was prepared to vote for a
reasonable measure of enforcement
The country has spoken on 10, but neve,
viii / support this measure until II 4.
amended In several ways"
Members and lobbyists urging tn,
adoption OF war time prohibition a
this time were characterized as "ser
vile followers Of the anti-saloon league
by Mr., Small On. c., following the open
ing defense Of the measure by Chairman
Volstead Mr.. Small said the necessity
FOR war time prohibition has passed witt
the signing OF the peace treaty ana N,
withdrawal OF virtually all our troon,
from the late theatre OF operations
Furthermore, he said the Congress BY
passing a prohibition enactment nov
under the guise of war time prohibition
Is breaking faith with the States Il
which the constitutional amendment wa,
submittedh ipasmuch as the assuranc,
then was given that virtually a yea,
would elapse between the date of ratif