New-York tribune., 1919-08-28
Senator Stirling Insists that
Prohibition Enforcement
Bill Be Enacted First:
Food Control Extended
Fair Prices LegaIized
Mineral Land Leasing Act
To Be Disposed of Next;
Likely to Take Ten Days
NetC York Tribune
Wdshir 0tOr Rureru

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27.-Legisla-
tion asked by Attorney General Pal
mcr to assist in combating the high
cost Of living will be delayed until the
prohibition enforcement law is enact
ed by the Senate.
The extensions Of the food control
law asked by Mr.. Palmer were favor,
ably reported to the Senate to-day by
Senator Gronna, chairman of the Agri-
cultural Committee. Senator Sterling,
of South Dakota, in charge of the pro-
hibition bill, gave notice, however
that he would insist that that meas
ure be taken up as the next order of
business by the Senate
In addition to the amendments re-
qucsted by the Attorney General ex-
tending the food control act to cover
wearing apparel and providing $4,000
fine and two years Imprisonment as
punishment for profile ing, the Agri-
cultural Committee adopted amend
ments to prevent rent prohtcering in
the District of Columbia and to es-
tablish standards of fair prices.
The fair price committees now being
formed by the Attorney General
throughout the country are legalized
by an amendment adopted by the COM
do not exceed those set by the fair
price committees may be prosecuted
for profiteering.
Text of the Amendment
The text of the amendment follows
provided further, That to make
un Just or unreas asonable a rate or
charge in handling or dealing in or
with any necessaries, except where
alton or arrangement with reference
to prices, such rate or charge must
be in excess of the rate or charge
fixed by fair price committee and
the Department of Justice is author
lied to provide for the appointment
of fair price committees"
Senator Gronna said the committee
was not unanimously in favor of the
amendments adopted and that several
members had reserved the right to
oppose them and offer substitute
amendments on the floor. He believed
the ac. ion Of the committee would be
approved BY the Attorney General.
The mineral land leasing bill is now
not be disposed Of until the end of
this week Thereafter the prohib-
tion enforcement bill has the right
Of way
II have not been asked to permit
the displacement of the prohibition
enforcement bill, but have been told
! will. be asked to do So" said Senator
Sterling. 81 shall not consent to any
such arrangement"
Unable to Enforce Law
rs it your information that the war-
time prohibition act is being generally
violated in the absence Of enforcement
legislation ?" he was asked
"A great deal of liquor is being sold
That is my information, and it is the
opinion of Attorney General Palmer
The Department of Justice is unable
rigidly to enforce the law because
liquor that is being sold must under
the present law, be proved to be in
toxicating in fact before its sale can
be stopped. In addition the Depart
ment has no special machinery for pro-
hibition enforcement. This bill will
not only provide additional machinery,
but ii will define Intoxicating liquor as
any containing more than z of ] per
cent of alcohol. Its passage is urgently
necessary"
Senator Sterling said that many of
fhc objectionable features Of the
House bill had been eliminated, and
the Senate should be able to dispose
Of the bill in d very short time.
Representative Haugen, of Iowa,
chairman of the House Agricultural
Committee, said he would call upon Of