The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-07
BREWERS TO CARRY
FIGHT TO PRESIDENT
Untermyer, Who Represents
British Interests, Seeks
Congress Hearing.
WILL APPEAL TO COURTS
Lawyer in Statement Says
Proposed Law Would Be
Discriminatory.

Although representatives OF certain Of
the brewing interests Of the country
have failed 40 far to obtain a hearing
before the HOUSE Judiciary Committee
On the volstead prohibition bill. It be-
came known yesterday that a determined
effort n being made BY the same inter-
ests to obtain hearing before the Sen
ate committee which Is framing the
Senate bill. and Of which Senator Thomas
Sterling Of South Dakota is chairman.
In the event that such permission Is
not given a request will be made to
President Wilson on his return this week
for q hearing when the legislation is put
through and the bill finally before him
for signature
1t became known yesterday that
Samuel Untermyer. representing British
interests with upward OF $lo.ooo.ooo in
vested in American breweries. as well as
large American brewing interests. has
requested q hearing before both COM
mittees and will. II necessary. carry the
Untermyer, It is said. is working In CO.
operation with Elihu Root. william d.
Guthrie and various counsel represent
ing American brewers.
Mr.. Untermyer wired Representative
volstead, chairman Of the House Judi
ciary Committee. last Friday asking for
an opportunity to be heard before the
bill u reported finally. He was told that
this permission could not be given at
this time because the bill had already
been reported out OF committee and there
appeared little likelihood that 1t would
be recommitted. A similar request was
filed with Senator Sterling.
Mr.. Untermyer asked to be allowed
to argue on two specific points: First,
that Congress could not lawfully pass
a law to establish prohibition as a war
time measure after the war Is over after
the President had recommended the re
PEAL Of legislation now on the BOOKS ano
before the Eighteenth Amendmem De-
comes effective, and second that Con-
gress could not lawfully enlarge the
amendment prohibiting the manufacture
and sale Of Intoxicating liquors as a bev-
orare'' by making the law applicable to
beverages that are in no sense intox'
icating.
Grain No Longer Needed.
It will also be argued IL hearing
II permitted before either committee OF
before the President that Congress has
no right to pass war time prohioitlon
lezfslation at this time on the ground
that such legislation is necessary to con-
serve grain for war purposes.
II hearing is held 1t, will also DC
argued among other things that II bone
dry prohibition Is actually intended To
be enforced against rich and poor alike
sweeping provisions must be included
IN the law to permit OF the search and
seizure Of liquor IN private dwellings,
which Mr.. Untermeyer declares has been
deliberately omitted and which omis'
sion he says means complete immunity
for the rich and discrimination against
the laboring man, even to the extent
OF light and mountaineering beer.
Mr.. Untermeyer said yesterday that
as far as the interests he represents
were concerned no opposition would be
made to such provisions OF the bill
that would eliminate the saloon. but
that every effort would be made to have
the law so constructed that the labor
ing man who wants a pail of beer with
his dinner will be on a par with the
Weather man who can afford to stock
cases OF bottled beer and light wines
IN his cellar. Discussing the situation
Mr.. Untermyer said:
This proposed action of Congress
will be challenged before the Congress
sional committee II permitted, but II
not permitted it will in any event be
challenged when the bill reaches the
President, and II necessary In the
oourta No objection will made
however, TO inserting in the bill a pro.
vision that will effectively prevent the
sale of any beverage that contains any
alcohol whatever, however slight. in.
Guiding light beer. to be drunk on the
premises where sold. Such a provl-
sion will render, rational prohibition
enforcement possible. and Is the only
practical means by which it will over
Be made enforceable. for 1t will elimi'
nate the saloon and place the poor man
who cannot stock his cellars with IN
toxicating liquors on a par with the rich
man, at least to the very limited extent
OF being able to buy and drink with his
meals a harmless, Notwithstanding bev.
erage which a large part of the civil
HEED world regards as helpful and
nourishing food.
Tanks Courts VIII Object.
eff. as has been claimed. It Is neces-
sary or appropriate for Congress &c
forbid the sale of beverage containing
less than one per cent of alcohol, which
ts manifestly mountaineering. in order
to enforce constitutional provision
49,