The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-06-21
SENATE AND HOUSE RACING TOOUTLAW
 BEER AS MEDICINE
Senate Hopes to Pass Willis Bill Before Beer Regulations Are Promulgated Under
 Palmer Ruling
By Associated Press


 Washington, June 20. - The Senate started race with the House today to outlaw medical beer.
 Just after the House rules com mittee had concluded long hearing on proposal to give the volstead anti-beer and general prohibition tightening up measure right of way, Senator Willis, republican, Ohio, in- troduced a special bill containing the beer and other uncontroverted sec hope of having it passed before ths prohibition commissioner promul- gates T. eer regulations under the rui- fng handed down by former Attorney General Palmer.
 In the view of the statements of leaders, those who were unwilling to redraft the Volstead supplemental bill and their request that 1t be ex- pedfted as emergency legislation, there was much speculation as to whether the volstead or Willis measure could be put through first.
 No Friends Appear
 No friends have appeared on the House side in behalf of beer as a medicine and Chairman Campbell of the rules committee expressed what was regarded as the general view on that question by declaring a bill to prevent it's sale on doctors pre- scription probably would be passed unanimously The committee will de- eide later in the weak whether the Nolstead bill or any part of it shall be given top place on the House calendar
 In introducing his bill, Senator Willis said he was actuated by the discussion and delay concerning the bill pending in the House." In ad- dition to prohibiting the prescription Of beer as medicine, the measure would provide that not more than the same amount of alcohol in wine may De prescribed within 10 days than is now authorized for spurious liouors which is one-half pint
 Other provisions of the hill ,vonld prohlpit the issuance of more than loo prescriptions within 90 days 10 any physician for the use of spiritous or Vinous liquors as medicine unless an emergency existed; would prevent the further manufacture and importa- tion or whisky or spurious lidiiors. put not alcohol, until the present sun ply is reduced to a point where It would meet the needs for nom bever- age purposes, and would give courts In Hawaii and the Virgin Islands jur- isdietion to enforce the prohibition act.
 Senator Willis in a statement said his bill embodied uncontroverted is- sues in the volstead supplemental prohibition bill now pending in the House and added.
 Need Immediate Action
 The passage of my bill does not mean there Is no need of the other provisions in the House bill, but there Is some division of opinion on this and l am introducing thls bill in or der to give Congress an opportunity to meet the medical beer situation. which must be taken care of imme- diately, if the breweries are not to open up again. While it.is true that state laws prohibit medical beer in three-fourths of the states. still If the breweries open In the other states it will be harder to enforce the law
 If there should be a serious delay In Congress on the question. 1t was Indicated at the treasury department today that early consideration would be given to the issuance of regula- tions providing for the use of beer for medical purposes
 The treasury was informed some time ago, 1t was said, that quick ac- ton on the Volstead bill to be felt that it could not delay issuance of the regulations indefinitely.
 The regulations are ready, 1t was added and could be issued quickly upon decision to promulgat te them