Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-07-15
DRYS SWAMP ALL ATTEMPTS TO
MODIFY PROHIBITION
LAW.
REFUSE TO PERMIT
VOTE TO REPEAL ACT
Bitter Fight Over Amendment to De-
fine an intosioant As Beverage Con-
tanning More Than pa Per Cent Al
eohol-LiberaI Amendments Voted
Down As Fast As Offered.

Washington. July 15.-Prohibition
forces took full control in the house
Monday, refusing to permit a vote on
a motion to repeal the wartime act.
defeated overwhelmingly an amend
ment providing for the sale OF 2& per
cent beer, and stood so.idly against all
attacks on the general enforcement
measure.
Just as fast as one liberal amend
ment was offered it was voted
down, always by triple vote. for the
minority. fighting every inch OF ground,
demanded a division after ayes and
hayes were called, and then asked for
tellers. Before the house got thru with
the first section Of the first part OF the
three-part bill there was more disor-
der on the floor than at any time this
session.
The disturbance arose first during
an attempt by Representative Blan-
ton, democrat, Teas, to speak second
time against an amendments which
would have given jury the right TO
define intoXicants. and was Increased
during an address by Representative
Gallivan, democrat, Massachusetts,, who
said members voting dry should print
In the Congressional Record exactly
how much liquor they had stored in
their homes and offices.
Battle Over 2.75 Beer.
The real battle of the day was over
the amendment to define an intox-
icant as a beverage containing more
than 2% per cent alcohol, instead OF
more than " Of l per cent, as writ
ten in the bill. Representative Dyer
republican, Missouri, author OF the
amendment, did not ask for this defini-
ton In the constitutional prohibition
amendment, but simply in the war
time law.
In pleading for its adoption. Mr.. Dy-
er said 1t was what President Wilson
had recommended to congress-, and
would permit, during the remaining pc
riod of wartime prohibition, the sale
of light wines and beer, and might de-
lay issuance of a proclamation by the
president which would restore the sale
of hard" liquors.
Second Measure Killed.
After 2A per cent beer had been
bowled over by q record vote Of 1b1
to 80, the >prohibitionists went after
another amendment by Representa-
tive Igoe, democrat, of Missouri. which
would have stricken out all definition
Of intoxicants, killing the proposal, 12S
to SO.
There was the utmost confusion at
times, and some Of the prohibition
leaders applauded every move In their
favor. The galleries, filled largely with
women and officers of anti-liquor or
CARNATIONS, broke into applause when
the house roared it's disapproyal OF
2X per cent beer.
A proposal by Representative Pell.
democrat, New York, which would put
determination of intoxicating qualities
Of certain beverages up to jury, was
ruled in order, only to be knocked out
on an aye and nay vote, a division, and
again after the call for tellers and the
march Of members thru the center aisle
Of the chamber to be counted. This
was the usual proceeding, the "wets"
always being able to muster enough OF
their numbers to support the demand.
XIII Lensworth Proposal.
When the house got thru with the
jury proposal 1t went after an amend
ment by Representative Longworth.
republican. Of Ohio, to strike out the
whole OF the first section Of the war
time enforcement bill, with its one-half
Of 1 per cent alcoholic definition. 1t
was defeated.
Two minor amendments ran the
blockade, one being passed on rec
ord vote when the forces split to such
an extent that Chairman Volstead of
the judiciary committee. leader of the
prohibition fight, was counted with
leaders of the minority. This was an
amendment Of Representative Ben
son, democrat. Maryland, to change
the word liquors" to beverage"
It seemed small matter, some
members said. but they commended that
it would permit the sale Of flavoring
extracts, hair tonics and the like.
against which a fight had been made
in the committee because Of the re-
ported tendency Of some folk to drink
them. The vote was So to rs. The 9TH
er observation-disclosures slight change in
the Bills wording.
There were many references to