Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-07-10
FATE ENCOURAGES
LIGHT WINES AND.
BEER ADVOCATES
(The Atlanta Journal News Bureau,
623 Riggs Building.)
BY THEODORE TTTTER

WASHINGTON, July 9.-WhiIe the
heart of, William Jennings Bryan is
"in the grave" because of his defeat
on the prohibition and the League Of
Nations planks at San Francisco, it
appears here that fate, political and
otherwise, is playing into the hands
OF the VETS" in the constituency of
the house committee on judiciary,
which handles prohibition legislation
The house committee, long headed
by that consistent dry" Judge E.
Yates, Webb, of North Carolina, who
was succeeded by the dry, Andrew J.
Volstead, of Minnesota, willhave three
wet" members in ranking position
If the Republicans retain control of
the next house. With such lineup it
looks distinctly more favorable for
light wines and beers" measures,
which are certain to be dropped into
Representative Volstead, chairman
of the judiciary committee, has been
defeated for denomination. He is the
author of the existing drastic pro-
hibitton law. The ranking Republi-
can on the committee was Represen-
tatfve Dick T. Morgan, of Oklahoma,
who would have succeeded to the
Craftsmanship had he lived. Repre-
sentative Morgan has died within the
week. This means that members fur
Their down the committee list will be
tain the next house, the seniority
rule will give the three positions Of
greatest influence to ''wets," Repre-
sentative George S Graham, of Penn
sylvania; Representative Leontdas c..
Dyer, of Missouri, and Representa-
tive Joseph Walsh, of Massachusetts.
Representative Thomas, of Ken
lucky, is the ranking Democrat. and
is "dry" in his votes, if not in his
views. However, members of con-
gress not infrequently vote one way
and think another.
Defeat and death, therefore, have
paved the way for a decided change
in the house committee and the ele-
walton of Messrs. Graham, Dyer and
Walsh.
Light wines and beers" legisla-
ton will have much more chance
with these three men at the head of
the house committee than with a
committee headed by either Volstead
or the late. Representative Morgan.
Should such liberalization move
the prospective shift also means that
the conferees on the part of the
house on liquor legislation will be
vets.
Ranking Democrats on the house
committee nj R Raom
sentative Igoe, of Missouri, wet, "
and Representative Gard. of Ohio, a
wet" The use of the word wet"
in this instance means liberaliza-
ton of the existing law and not as
wet as the Atlantic" as Governor
/ Edwards would say.
The Republican ranking members
give promise of sticking in their
present places. Representative Thorn
as, Democrat, is also likely to be re.
turned and would be chairman should
the Democrats regain possession OF
the house. Representatives Igoe and
Gard intend to retire from congress,
and until the new committee is made
up after next March, it is difficult
to forecast the entire personnel,
Nevertheless. the defeat of Mr..
Vilstead> and the death of Mr.. Morgan
leave the judiciary committee top
heavy with 'wets' in event of a
Republican victory. Should Gov
ernor Cox, wet" Democrat, be
elected president and congress re-
main Republican Notwithstanding,
| the prospect for liberalization of
the Volstead law would be increased.
The situation on the whole makes
! for comment and speculation and
| may play it's part nthe coming cam
paign. =.