The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-09
Ication and the legislation .rectuatins

cation and the legislation effectuating
the amendment
Representative Grimm declared that In
pushing the prohibition bill through un-
der a rule the "wets" were seeking to
take advantage of the absence at q
benevolent association convention at At
lantic City OF approximately $50 men,
bers and despite the fact that a number
or additional members have not returned
from their vacations
The men behind prohibition are as
tute prohibitionists." remarked Mr.. Grif-
FIN. denying vigorously that this bill
represents the wishes Of a majority Of
the people In the United States"
Mr.. Volstead, defending his bill. was
subjected to running fire OF questions
from both "drys'' and "wets" He Of
fered no apologies for the features of his
measure which In effect will impose pro-
hibition on the country prior to the date
contemplated in the Eighteenth Amend
ment, stating frankly that he hoped there
would be no intervening wet" spell be-
tween war time prohibition and the date
when constitutional prohibition will be-
come effective.
Personally" he said, II think II
ought TO last. 1 wish we could make
prohibition permanent now"
Mr.. Volstead had prefaced his re-
marks with a denial that he Is a pro-
hibitionist.
Has there ever been a ruling OF the
Supreme Court that would prohibit, us
from enacting a prohibition statuteT'
asked Representative Blanton (Tex.).
Mr.. VolsteaG replied he did not be-
lieve a prohibition statute enacted in
peace time would be sustained by the
Supreme Court.
Representative venable MISSY de-
r. ho In Aoy n NJ
extracts containing more than one-half
of l per cent. OF alcohol would put out
OF business all concerns furnishing bev-
erage favoring. Mr.. Volstead denied
that this would be the effect.
Drive Against Beer.
Defending the provisions expressly
limiting the alcoholic content of bever-
ages, Mr.. Volstead answered the charge
that the bill seeks to amend the consti-
tutional amendment by declaring that II
merely seeks to change the New York
construction of the amendment permits
ting traffic In beer and light wines con-
taining less than "a per cent. OF alcohol.
The courts are trying to set the law
at naught," said Mr. Volstead, explain
ing that beer containing 2.75 per cent
of alcohol by weight contains virtually
az per cent. Of alcohol by volume.
Beer they have been selling for
years" he continued, has contained
but az to an per cent. of alcohol.
Now what are they proposing to do
when they want to sell 2.75 per cent
beer? All they propose to take of is
fivc-one hundredths Of one per cent. OF
alcohol and still say II Is not intoxi-
eating. 1t is SO transparent that It Is
ridiculous"
He then figured out that only four
teen glasses of ~ per cent. beer would
be necessary to equal one full beer
glass of whiskey.
ANY beer drinker will consume four
teen glasses Of beer at one brief sitting"
he declared, to the apparent surprise OF
number of Representatives who
thought themselves fairly consistent
beer consumers. land its equivalent, one
full beer glass of whiskey, will make
any one drunk except q confirmed topper"
Though these judgments raised serious
doubts in number OF minds no one
desired to question them publicly, so
the statements went unchallenged
Asked by Representative De Walt
(Pa.) IL specifically defining the alco-
holic content of permitted beverages
was In effect constituting the Constitu-
ton. Mr.. Volstead replied: II think
that Is fair Interpretation"
where lies the power to construe
the Constitution with the judiciary or
with legislative bodies?" pressed De
Walt
Congress must first construe the
Constitution in order to be able to en-
force it," replied volstead.
Then the next Congress can make
the limit of alcohol in beverages 2. an
or per cent? argued De Walt. I'm
other words with every session Of Con-
gress We may have a new Constitution :;
is that your contentionT'
Mr.. Volstead admitted that this would
be the logical development OF his argu-
ment.
Representative La Guardia IN. y
declared that the bill. as drawn, was i'll
considered and hysterical La Guardia
told the House the measure has the
enthusiastic approval OF the lobbyists
protecting certain interests who are
dopy with narcotics and Shiny with
81 rup."
Representative Upshaw (Ga). a for
mcr revivalist and an ardent prohibit
Zionist, wanted to know II the liquor
interests were ready to have their busi-
ness put out OF existence
The moonshiners Of Kentucky and
the South are very anxious to get this
legislation through" retorted the New
York member because their business
will increase"
This retort tickled the disabilities of
| members of both sides OF the chamber,
with the exception of Mr.. Upshaw. who
served notice that he would reply TO
Mr.. La Guardia In his own time
II do not doubt that the gentleman
Is an authority on the subject" La
Guardia shot back at the Georgia
dry adding: III the people from the
dry States would keep out OF New York
| city we would have no DRINKS there"
Does the gentleman mean to say that
| his city does not want the trade Of the
glorious dry South asked Mr.. Up
shaw, with a pomposity which lost
| much of its effect from the Joyous chort-
ling of the House generally.
| Absolutely not" retorted La Guar
| dia. "It keeps our courts congested.'
| which shaft the House enjoyed audibly
tUIrTORY pARAnE tn