New-York tribune., 1919-10-29

to sustain the vote nine were Repub-
icans and eleven were Democrats.
Senator Sterling, of South Dakota
started the fight when he asked that
the Senate 60 into legislative session
and take up the prohibition veto.
"We are in recess for the purpose
Of discussing the treaty" said Sena-
tor Hitchcock. land, if possible, reach
ing q vote. We have been subject to
aggravated Gelay and the country is
beginning to suspect purpose to pre-
vent action.
Lodge States His Views
~ always opposed constitutional
prohibition" said Senator Lodge. az
voted against it, l believe it should
not be in the Constitution. The peo-
pie decided differently. There is no
greater evil than constitutional
amendment that cannot be enforced.
For that reason I voted for the bill
which has just been vetoed. In view
OF disturbed conditions in the coun-
try the failure of this legislation
would be calamity"
ri voted against the constitutional
prohibition amendment" said Senator
Underwood, Of Alabama, because l
believed it was question for the
tional government. l thought it bet
ter that the people of each state
should determine the matter for them
selves
Now it is the law of the land. AL
though did not believe it wise to have
nation wide prohibition, the people
agreed to it and | am in favor of en-
forcing it. | am in favor now and
hereafter of passing laws to enforce
this amendment. think it is going
to cost vast deal more than is ex-
pected, but it should have a try-out.
"The reason the President vetoed
this bill was because those who IA
vored nationwide prohibition broke
faith. They proclaimed to the country
that they were not in favor Of the
drastic destruction of private property.
Later it was proposed TO write nation
wid, prohibition on the statute books
without waiting for the constitutional
amendment to take effect. The cry
was raised that the safety of young
men in the army was menaced. The
country sustained its contention. Con-
gress yielded and enacted the desired
legislation"
II have always wondered" said Sena-
tor Borah, whether this wartime pro-
hibition act was constitutional. Con-
gress listened to the appeal Of the ex-
tremists and provided for prohibition
during the time between wartime pro-
hibition and the effectiveness of the
constitutional amendment"
"War-time prohibition" said Senator
Nelson, Republican, Minnesota, "can
be ended by the President through
proclamation even if the enforcement
bill passes"
81 think that is erroneous" said
Senator Underwood, "and the bill
would be effective during the interim" ,"
"rhe BILL" said Senator Sterling,
would only operate until demobiliza-
ton Of the army is proclaimed b. the
President. The purpose of this act
is only to enforce the law until such
a proclamation is issued"
The Attorney General" said Senator
Underwood, "is going ahead enforcing
wartime prohibition without reference
TO this bill. He is going ahead just the
same as if there would be no demobili-
cation.
"The good faith of this transaction
should be carried out. These people
should have an opportunity to wind up
their business and save their property.
The President is right in saving that
constitutional prohibition enforcement
should not contain a clause for war
time prohibition.
Says Country Wants II
II know the Senate is not going to
defy the organized prohibition senti-
ment Of this country. The rank and
file, believe, would not object to carry
ing out constitutional prohi hihition as
agreed. But the organized psohibition-
lists would not accept that conclusion.
Every man in this Senate knows
that the Presidents veto will be over
ridden. Every man knows that if this
is not done the House and Senate would
promptly pass bill to enforce consti-
tutional prohib son."
II resent the charge that anybody
has broken faith in connection with the
constitutional amendment" said Sena-
tor Sheppard. cit is matter of grace
and not Of right. When have the liquor
interests ever kept faith with anybody ?
The courts repeatedly have held that