New-York tribune., 1920-02-26
Jersey Faces
Beer Revolt
If $50 Is Sold
S'Dry" Leaders Assert Bill
Will Precipitate Conflict
Akin to sSRum Rebel
lion" in Upper Michigan

Open physical warfare between the
wet" and dry forces in New Jersey
was predicted yesterday by leaders in
the prohibition movement as result
OF the passage of the $50 per cent beer
bill by the New Jersey Assembly on
Tuesday.
Beer will be sold in the state next
week, these leaders asserted, and they
added that there would begin disorder
and clash between Federal and state
authorities similar to the Iron River,
Mich, rum revolution."
Officers Of the Anti-Saloon League of
New Jersey charged that Christian W.
Felgenspan, a brewer of Newark, had
$1750,O0 worth Of beer ready, and that
large quantities of this probably would
be placed on sale in New Jersey as
soon as the bill is signed by Governor
Edwards. The Senate will vote on the
measure on Monday and the measure
may be ready for his signature by
night.
L. s. Agent Awaits Instructions
Leo Crossen, Federal prohibition en-
forcement agent for New Jersey, said
that he would take no action against
sellers of $50 per cent beer until he
receives complete instructions from
Commissioner Roper at Washington.
Governor Edwards, whose campaign
was based on the wet" issue, was
exultant yesterday at the outcome OF
the fight in the Assembly.
This is but the forerupner Of an
orderly movement to protect the lib
critics of the American people" he
said, "from the sumptuary powers of
the Eighteenth Amendment. There
never was any doubt as to the success
OF the movement as far as New JERSEY
was concerned, and / do not feel that
it's people differ from those of the
other states. 1t simply is question of
protecting the fundamental spirit of
liberty, and all the anti-saloon leagues
in the world will be set aside to ac-
complsh this"
G: Rowland Munroe, counsel for the
sisted that until the Supreme Court
has ruled to the contrary the Eigh
teenth Amendment and the. Volstead
enforcement act passed by Congress
must be regarded by all law abiding
citizens as the supreme law of the
land, and that the effort by New Jer-
sey to substitute its own law could
only make the state appear disloyal.
"The Supreme Court undoubtedly
will reach an early decision" Mr.. Nun
roe added ain which this states rights
| will be fully determined and if the
Legislature is not in session it can
easily be called together, and whatever
action is permissible under the ruling
can be taken in a loyal. orderly and
decent fashion.
Will Test New Law in Courts
Gas it is, the Anti-Saloon League will
Immediately apply to the state courts
to prevent violations of the Federal
amendment forbidding the sale of any
beverage with more thsa one-half of
per cent alcoholic content. In addi-
ton, the United States courts will be
| asked to test the constitutionality OF
the Jersey beer bill"
The Rev. James K. Shields, superin-
tendent of the New Jersey Anti-Saloon
League, stated that he would request
United States Attorney Joseph Bodine
to prosecute all violators Of the Federal
prohibition amendment and that he
would carry the case to Attorney Cen
eral A. Mitchell Palmer If necessary.
George A. Demo, Federal prohibition
enforcement officer for the six upper
counties of New Jersey, with head
quarters at Newark, declared he would
l.