New-York tribune., 1919-08-12
judiciary Committee Con.
siders Amendments to
House Bill Proposed by
Its Fellow Members
Home.Madc Cider Up
LIGHT Wines Manufactured
for Personal Consump-
ton Another Change

WASHINGTON, Aug. 11.-Prohibi-
ton enforcement legislation advanced
another step in Congress to-day, when
the Senate Judiciary Committee began
consideration of the bill passed by the
House last June as amended and lib
eralized by the judiciary sub commit
tee.
After informal discussion of the re-
yised bill the Judiciary Committee
agreed to take up the measure next
Saturday.
Although the general house plan for
enforcement of wartime and constitu-
tional prohibition remain in the bin.
the subcommittee eliminated several
drastic House provisions and modified
others.
Question Is Divided
Like the House. the Senate sub-com-
mittee adopted the plan of having sep
arate section in the bill to deal with
wartime and constitutional prohibition.
The b-committee left UNCHANGED
the House definition of Intoxicating
beverages as those containin one half
Of per cent or more of alcohol.
As revised. the bill will not interfere
with storage and personal use of intoXi-
cants in the homes of individuals.
Probably the most liberal amendment
to the house bill is a provision exempt
ing from penalties any person "manu-
featuring Notwithstanding cider and
fruit juices exclusively for use in his
house" This would permit home manu-
facture of light wines and cider for per
sonal consumption and the amendment.
except by implication in connection with
the definition Of intoXicants, does not
define Notwithstanding" beverages
Stricken from the House bill was the
provision making it unlawful for per-
sons TO be intoxicated or 20 drink liquor
on trains, street cars. jitneys, boats or
other public conveyances.
Search Made Less Drastic.
The house search warrant provision
also was made less drastic, the SUBJ
committee amending the search and
seizure section so IS to provide that
search warrants may be issued only
under the usual practice provided by
existing Federal law and not on mere
suspicion that liquor is being stored for
unlawful purposes.
In defining Intoxicating liquor the
subcommittee added the following lib
eralizing proviso:
Provided. however, that the forego-
ing definition (one-half of per cent
alcohol shall not extend to dealcohoi-
ilsd wine nor to liquor or liquors pro-
daeed by the process by which beer ale
or porter is manufactured. but contain
lng not more than half OF | per cent
alcohol, if such liquor or liquid shall
Be otherwise denominated than as beer,
ale or porter"
Another relaxation of the House bill
was made in its provision for penaliz-
Ing persons having reason to believe"
their property is being used unlaw-
fully The Senate amendment requires
personal knowledge' Of such use.
No Stock After February
TIE House provision declaring that
after February l, 1920 the possession
Of liquor unauthorized by the law shall
be pfima facie evidence that it is be-
ing kept for sale, is retained and
Strengthened by an addition providing
ttat in proceedings under this section
the burden of proof shall be on de-
iendants to prove that such beverages
40 not contain more than one-half Of
per cent alcohol.
Retaining the House provision pro-
hlbiting manufacture. sale, purchase,
transporting or prescription of intoxi-
cants without a permit from the inter-
nal revenue commissioner, the revised
hill contains provision that such acts
shall be express authorized upon re-
celpt of permits The House limit of
ten days on permits to purchase intoxi-
eants also is extended in the revised
bill to ninety days. Pharmacists only
may sell at retail and licensed physi-
cans only may prescribe liquor. The
House requirement for physical eX-
animation by physicians OF applicants
ior liquor prescriptions, however, was
eliminated
The House provision limiting physi-
cans dispensing to one pint of liquor
IN ten days for the same persons is re-
slned, but modified to provide that
suen limitation shall apply only to pre-
Setlptions TO be taken internally"
More rigorous provisions guarding
transactions in wines for sacramental
ana religious purposes are provided by
provision requiring issuances of such
permits only TO ministers, rabbis or
oIher ecclesiastics.
Advertising Is Limited
House provisions regarding advertis-
"ig OF beverages are made more strin-
geht IN some respects and more liberal
IN others. The subcommittee struck
Out provisions prohibiting sign or bill
O0ard advertising, but added clause
pehalizlng advertisements of "intoxi-
~hts, anywhere, by any means or
"se'hod. Also stricken out was q House
Iliause authorizing obliteration of
"quor advertising or the use of pict
ases OF a distillery, bottle, keg, barrel
VI otner receptacle in advertisements.
Retaining the House provision
ssanst advertisement of compounds,
preparations or formulas for manufac-
s.re Of intoXicants, the subcommittee
strengthened this section by prohibit
ag also the advertisement of any
,u'shsil, contrivance or machine" for
such purpose