The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1919-11-11

~ wv |NAANNNaAN 80 ="
the president. Americans have been
gratihed to note recently In his con
dition striking evidences Of n reYiv-
ing physical and Intellectual vigor. II
would seem. indeed, ~ though his
physician had been a little overcau-
tious. had failed TO see that there
might be beneficial psychological re-
suiis from minlstering to the PATIENTS
expressed interest In certain affairs.
Thus the prohibition enforcement
bill. passed on October 10. was with
held from Mr.. Wilson until October
81. although, 50 we learn from a
faithful administration a pro-liquor
organ, he inquired about almost
daily. and today Monday asked That
Il be brought to him"
Tho act Of vetoing the measure
which had been so much upon his
mind apparently had effects happily
stimulating, for on Tuesday he was
able to take luneneon and dinner In
a semisitting position" and the Inn
provement was so noticeable that next
day the customary bulletin was omit
ted. And this sign was the more en-
: ~couraging because meanwhile con-
gress had repassed he bill. the vote
In the house being l16 10 80 and In
the senate 65 TO 20. the most decisive
rebuke, perhaps. ever Administered 10
"a chief executive OF this nation.
me nfffiNfNiN VETO Nttmth ~ W.
caslon great surprise to congress, to
supporters OF prohibition and 70 the
liquor Interests. all Of whom had been
fully prepared for the laws becoming
effective without The signature after
the required Interval Of ten days from
the date % passage. But we Ind it
difficult to understand how the action
could have surprised any one famil-
lar with his Intense concord In this
matter. his %unnagging onUrts 10 delay
ana obatruct the ending OF the liquor
traffic. The heroic boy In the Dutch
tale. stopping with numbcd finger the
hole In the dixie. was not more faith
ful TO his duty than the president has
been to his self Imposed task o. keep
Ink the rum spigot open.
II Is a matter not Of conjecture, but
of recorded fact. that war prohibit
ton would have been adopted early in
1917 had u not been for his viEilant
opposition. when the country enter
ed the war the long-growing demand
for elimination Of the wasteful weak
enlng liquor traffic received great I'M
petus. for this seemed the most OBJ
vious move toward conserving the ma
tlon's energies and for the
struggle. Members of both branches
OF congress, regardless OF party, re-
sponded 10 the sentiment ~ the coun-
try. The house Democratic caucus
voted 20 promote the adoption Of war
prohibition. Instantly, however, word
WINS sent from the White House that
no legislation should be considered
unless Initiated by the executive. and
the caucus action was rescinded. \
little later the senate added 10 the es-
~pionaee bill u provision forbiddlng
he use Of grain In making liquor;
again the White House interposed OBJ
lection. and the amendment was
taken out.
The public demand. nevertheless,
became more insiztent. and found re-
peated expression in congress. Halt
a score Of amendments to various
bills were proposed, ranging from
heavy tax levies to absolute prohibits
tion; but non-inierfer-nce with the
liquor interests had been made "A test
Of loyalty by the administration. ane
these measures were put aside one ~
one. At last, however. decisive ac-
ton was taken-on June 90, 1917. the
house added TO the food control bill a
provision that no foodstuns should he
used In making alcoholic bevcrage rs
Tho vote on the whole measure was
Ss5 to 5.
Overwhelmed In the house. the
rum forces redoubled their on orts "a
hold the executive department and
the senate. The upper chamber
would have accepted the house pro.
posnl had u not been h the demo-
cratic majority was under strict or
ders from b white House. Finally.
the president was compelled TO as
sumo openly the responsibility for
preventing war prohibition. a CONS
promise was reached In an amend
ment stopping The Manufacture 4
spirits. authorizing him to comman.
deer existing stocks when needed foI
war purposes. and giving him power
10 limit the alcoholic content Of beer
From the day Of the passage OF tn,
food control act. In august. 1917, alb
solute power over the liquor tram,
rested in the hands Of President vii
son.
For nearly a year the matter wai
left there. but In the summer Of 1871
he issue became acute. The pro.
hihition demand had been intensified
by the peoples war experiences Will
food and fuel scarcity. railroad con.
gestion md uvertaxed mnn-power
for they resented tn continued dra.r
upon these hy he tavore,
liquor interests. There was a renewc,
rapid FIRE ~ amendments. and tn
president had to bring his opposition
Into the open. He CAV notice tina
there must he no prohibition riders 4
/, appropriation hlls-which was III
same as forhidd'ng any action AZ all
for b.. no other way could the pro
. posnl get legislative right OF way. III
induced Mr.. Hoover 10 declare tia
the wasting OF o 1000. 900 to 10000
, 000 bushcls 81 grain a year in makini
x liquor was negligible, and member
, Of the shipping board 10 argue tina
o. closing tho saloons would fatally de
lay tho s|hipbuilding program.
Despite his persistent efforts tn
p measure was recommended by tn
20 senate committee. u would hav'
been adopted early In July. 1918. bu