The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1919-02-28

point Of order IL any senator cared to
raise the point.
To Establish Definition.
The bill, Senator sheppard said.
should certainly undertake to define
what constitutes an alcoholic beVer-
age" IFe gave 1t as his own opinion
that the definition should apply to any
beverage containing any percentage OF
alcohol. however small
The internal revenue bureau has
ruled under existing law that bever-
ages that contain less than one half
at ! per cent Of alcohol are not to be
considered alcoholic but Senator
Sheppard believes that TO he on the
nate aldo, congress should cay that ANY
bversge containing any amount OF
alcohol should be classed as "aico-
holic" and thus under the ban OF the
law.
Reports from New York are that
the state legislature would undertake
10 define what constitutes an alcoholic
beverage In the meaning of the law.
and that ii would hold that light
wines and beers were not alcoholic
beverages in that meaning The
courts in New York. Senator Shep-
pard said. might uphold ouch a con-
tention. For that reason. he said,
and because different states might set
Nl44Ef iIIA iUE dlCOnQilC nEN-
erages," he believed congress should
take action tn define the same.
Inauguration OF a four-minute cam
paign of education Is one of the means
the Auft-6aloon League Of the DIE
trtct OF Columbia may emph,y to bring
certain classes OF p1rHons residing in
Washington to realization of the
benefits to be derived from a bone
dry law. The question of inaugural
ing such drive was discussed at a
meeting of the board OF trustees of the
league, held at the Washington Y. NJ.
T. A. at which Albert II. Shoemaker err,
counsel for the league, presided.
During the discussion OF matters
relating to enactment and enforcerntnt
or prohibition laws, 1t was brought
out that many persons. some high off,
Gals have been outspoken in opposi-
tion to the bone-dry and other laws
abolishlng the liquor traffic. and mem
bers of the league suggested that dis
tribution of literature and a speech
making campaign might enllghten
-thasar aysd bring about a change Of
opinion.
Take Eariy Action.
Definite action was not taken ON the
questions presented AT this conference
1T was suggested. however. that early
action will be taken and that meet
ings may be held In the departm ents,
theatres and other public places in
Washington. and that literature will
be mailed to persons known to hold
views IN opposition to prohibition and
suspected of being opposed to enforce
ILent of dry laws
II was declared by mem bers Of the
board OF trustees that imposition of
severe sentences by Judges Of police
courts has greatly improved bootleg
g'us conditions. Further improve
nent is expected now that the bone
dry measure has become law.
There are definite signs at the cap
ital that the VETS" who appeared TO
he stunned into Inactivity by the pros
poets of the nation climbing upon the
water wagon. are preparing to show
aigns of life and make "A stubborn
nEht against wartime prohibition at
least.
While admitting that the Anti-Sa-
loon League forces hold nearly ali of
the aces since their success with the
prohibition amendmepts, the .wets
are now preparing their forces for a
aght to repeal The law which would
issue the Knockout punch T. Ioha