The Washington herald., 1921-09-26
ANTI-BEER BILL
FIGHT HINDERS
TAX MEASURE
Debates on Treaty Also
Add to Senate's Diff
ficulties.

The Senate this week stages a
| three-ringed circus-the peace
treaty debate, featuring Senator
Borah; the revenue bill, with spe-
cial acts by Democrats, who op-
pose repeal of the excess profits
tax, and the beer bill, starring
Senator Stanley. among the "wets,"
and William Jennings Bryan.
Meantime. the House, which is
the original promoter of the reve-
nue. and beer bill acts, has made
a gentlemen's agreement to hold a
series Of three day recesses which
willpermit of its membership enjoy
ing the Senate rehearsals.
Commoner AxsaIIs 'swets.7
While the revenue bill has been
accorded the center ring for the
week and the treaty fight may be
staged in a series of night perform
ances. the beer bill feature will not
be lost sight of IL its advocates and
opponents can help 1t. Added inter-
est in this attraction has just been
effected by the advent of Bryan as
official announcer on behalf of the
dry" performers. The "comnoner''
in a statement yesterday, hurled
disparaging remarks at the antics
of the wet minority" who thus
far have more or less dominated the
act.
The revenue bill, upon its official
reading today is to have precedence
over other matters. Opposition
from the minority will center on
repeal of the excess profits tax and
reduction in surtax rates.
Republicans Are Confident.
Democrats will endeavor to have
adopted substitutes which they
have suggested Republican lead
ers. however, are confident that the
bill can be put through with a
minimum Of delay.
Night sessions may be held for
consideration of the treaties. They
are not to have priority over the
revenue bill. but at the same time
will be pushed, in accordance with
the wishes of President Harding.
Leaders believe they have placated
opposition by acceptance Of reser-
vations suggested by irreconcili-
ables.
Senator Borah. member of the
Foreign Relations Committee and
bitter opponent OF the treaty of
Versailles. will oppose the substi-
tute pact. Borah is assured of
some support from the minority,
but leaders hope to force through
the treaties without great delay.
other irreconciliables. including
Senator Johnson. have said that
they will support the administra-
tion pacts.
Hlnders Revenue Bin.
Meantime the antibeer bill re-
mains before the Senate, and
threatens to be the cause of much
trouble. 1t is brought to the front
on every occasion by its proponents,
and prevents consideration of the
revenue bill, which it is conceded
in all quarters is entitled to prior
ity.
However, Senator Penrose, chair
man of the Finance Committee, says
no interference with the revenue
bill will be permitted. Leaders are
counting on a fuller attendance of
Republicans this week to enable
him to carry out this program.
Opponents of the antibeer bill will
not admit that a filibuster is being
waged against it. But they are
fighting every move of the meas
ure's advocates. and there has been
no sign of yielding on either side.
1t is conceded that the bill will be
approved IL a vote can be forced,
but vets so far have been able to
block this, and will continue their
opposition.
Backed by Bryan.
Dry forces are bringing every in
iuence to bear on the Senate.
The conference report on the
antibeer bill meets the situation"
Mr.. Bryan said in his statement
yesterday. The supporters of en-
forcement do not desire to make the
laws any more strict than necessary
to compel obedience. A private resi-
dence is a permanent building, and
1t is entirely proper to require a
warrant for search This might
even be extended to permit any
bona fide resident to protect his
home from search without warrant
by making affidavit that he has no
liquor unlawfully concealed there
In. But IL is different with auto
mobiles. To require warrant be-
fore searching a suspected auto
would practically nuIllfy the law 1t
is inconceivable that any dry Sena-
tor can be deceived by the mock
heroics of the vets.
"A ilibuster by a minority to pre-
vent the enforcement of constitu-
tional provision is about as undem-
ocratic procedure as could be i'm
agined. especially constitutional
provision which outlaws a criminal
traffic,"