Perth Amboy evening news., 1920-02-11
MOVE BY 6. O.P.
ON LIQUOR BILLS
Must Take Some Stand on Issue
Raised by Governor
CONFERENCE At STATE House
Another Hearing on Brown and
Barrett Bills Will be Held
Next Week
CONFERENCE At STATE HOUSE
8p Special Correspondent.


TRENTON, Feb. 11:-The Repub-
lican senators and assemblymen are
feeling the necessity of taking some
stand on the issue raised by Cover
nor Edwards for New Jersey to exer-
else what he construes as her right to
define Notwithstanding beverages
under the eighteenth amendment.
republican senators on the advice
of legislative advisors conferred at
the State House yesterday on the bill
by Senator Haines, Republican, OF
camden, for g popular election on a
bill to declare five per cent. beer as
| notwithstanding and have the voters
accept or reject the proposition at
/ the presidential election November 2.
A division of opinion on the refer
endum idea cropped out at the con-
ference. Senator Allen, Republican
leader, admitted the division among
the sixteen Republican senators. AL
len says no definite policy for the
Republicans has been agreed upon.
The senator's want to bind the house
Republicans to some agreement and
with that idea in view will call House
Leader Hershfield into conference.
When the assemblymen came to
the capitol there were reports that
the house judiciary committee would
report the Barrett BILL which is back
ed Dy Iile duunlnlSlT TtJlOn, ana pro-
viding for four per cent. beer. Hersh
field when interviewed said that
Republicans had no idea of reporti1
out the Barrett bill in the immediat-
future. He admitted that there was
a proposition under consideration to
amend the Barrett bill SO that when
1t does make its appearance on the
house calendar it will be representa-
tive of the idea of the Republicans on
the question of New Jersey exercising
it's concurrent powers under the
eighteenth amendment.
In Republican circles it was adj
mitted that the approach of con-
greSsional election in November will
have some effect upon the considera-
ton of the delicate question, of con-
current powers on the liquor issue.
Republicans in both senate and
house are reported to be in favor OK
the referendum plan on the question
of concurrent powers. From q re-
liable source today it was learned that
the Republicans plan to amend tho
Brown or Barrett bills to provide for
beverages with three per cent. alco-
shelic content and then attach-a refer
endum for popular vote on general
election day. Congressional candidates
would then have vote OF guidance
from the November test vote as well
as the question of setting the State
Senator Haines, of Camden, who
sponsors the five per cent. referendum
bill, is said to be willing TO accpet an
amendment which will reduce Inc
measure to three per cent. In such an
event the Democratic bills would DC
smothered- in committees.
Prospects for another hearing on tho
LIQUOR bills before the joint judiciary
committees are bright. Senator Run
yon, of Union. was prevented from
attending the hearing on Monday. Inc
Anti-Saloon League wants Runyon TO
take up their fight. Also former Sena~
tor Gebhardt, of Hunterdon, wants
to talk on prohibition ana state Coun-
sci q. Rowland Munroe, of the Anti
Saloon League wants to back UP argu-
ments of national counsel Wayne 3.
Wheeler.
The fact that the Republicans have
taken cognizance of the liquor blliJ
by calling a conference has strength
ened the belief of Democratic Senator'S
that the administrators four per
cent. bills can be passed if allowed TO
come before the Legislature and raw
orably reported out of committee,
With twelve votes in Hudson, twelve
more in Essex, the Democrats are
counting on support from Atlantic,
Camden, Mercer Middlesex ana
Norris. At any rate the necessary
thirty-one can be mustered, the Demo-
Gratis claim. The Senate which mas
been looked upon as the Stumbling
block of the administrations hopes
holds no fear for the more optomistle
of the Democratic spokesmen Tho
democrats have six votes in the upper
branch and every one is counted upon
to stand by Edwards. The Democrats
are counting on Republican support
from Atlantic, Burlington, Bergen,
Essex Passaic with possibly Morris
1t is considered likely that If another
public hearing is given on the liquor
bills it Will be held on Thursday
February "a.