Evening journal., 1919-07-09
DRY ENFORCEMENT
ACT COMING SOON
Twelve Hours General De-
bate Allotted Members
May Not Be Required
PROHIBS POWER SHOWN
IN BALLOT ON RULE

WASHINGTON, July 9.--The House by
adopting. 235 to SO. yesterday, a special
rule for Immediate consideration Of pro
hibition Enforcement legislation, indi-
Gated sufficient votes TO enact the meas
ure without the i2 hours Of general de-
bate allotted members anxious TO speak
for and against its passage.
But despite this big majority and the
promise by Chairman Nolstead, Of the
Judiciary committee. that all Of the
time sell aside might not be used, indi-
cations tonight were that a vote on the
bill itself would not be reached this
week. Every effort was made by anti
prohibitionlsts TO delay consideration by
claims Of no quorum. demands for roll
calls and by forcing the reading. word
by word Of the printed text OF the bill,
All these attempts at delay were
accepted with good grace by the ma
lority. until Representative Sabgih and
Representative Caldwell, both Demo-
crals, brought 2 protest from members
NN'ho declared they were endeavorng by
dilatory taotcs 30 slow up the pro-
ceedings. Less than two OF the II
hours for debate had been used when
the House adjourned, TO resume con-
sideation Thursday, today being cal
cndar day.
No attempt was made to split the
bill so as 20 take out the first part
relating solely 20 enforcement OF war
time prohibition, with a view TO It's
early passage. This, however. viii be
done later, and while members fight
ing for mobilization or repeal OF the
wartime act are hOpelessly in the min
oriiy, they announced their determine
tion TO keep lighting until the whole
question Of enforcement legislation was
settled in the House.
The principal speech In support Of
The judiciary committees report was
made by Chairman Nolstead, who de-
clared he did not belong TO the Anti
saloon League and had never made a
prohibition address. In a general way
his address followed the tenor Of the
majority report, prepared by him. Pres
ent-day conditions showed the need OF
enacting additional legislation. the
chairman declared. beosuse of the at
tempt TO set the wartime act at naught
by dealers selling 81 per cent. beer.
For an hour or more the chairman
stood, as a smiling target. while anti
prohibition members interrupted him
time without number. Frequently the
house was in an uproar.
Referring 10 the ? "a per cent. beer
controversy. Mr.. Nolstead said he had
found by examination OF records and
by consulting druggists that IL a man
drank 100 glasses OF that beverage he
would get in alcoholic condition exact
" seven beer glasses OF the strongest
whiskey. or, the chairman explained,
II a man took only fourteen glasses oil
beer he would get The equal Of one
beer glass OF strong wlliskey Aud this
one glass OF whiskey, ne contended, was
sufficient 20 "make anybody drunk eX-
cept confirmed topper"
The chairman stood his ground good |
while members were firing |
questions at him, many OF these being |
Of a character 20 provoke applause.
once when Representative Caldwell |
had interrupted him TO say that during
the influenza epidemic last year whiskey
was the standard remedy, Representa-
lAfN Asn9 tNAif ANNlNUilAhlif WIN ~ a IiilN
sician, took vigorous exception and de
rlared the statement was not true.
There was an extended discussion as
10 the beverage possibilities Of patent
medicines, extracts and the like. which
led Mr.. Nolstead TO remark that a bev-
erage was something pleasant 10 drink.
Cen8ble, Democrat, in
terrupted at this point TO ask II it was
not fact that all intoxicating liquors
were unpleasant as a drink. hut pleas
ant as TO effect. The chairman's an
swer was lost In the laughter.
Mr. Nolslead told the House that I'm
his opinion one Congress could define
liquors as a beverage con-
'ainlng one-half OF one per cent. alco-
aol, while another Congress might nut
quite a different construction upon it.
In closing. he told Of the henent. as
he saw II. that would come 10 the
'ountry with the elimination Of liquor.
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