Omaha daily bee., 1921-08-09
.Anti-Beer
Bill Passed
Senate
Rider By Vets to Fine Agents
Who Search Property With.
out Warrant Brings
Howl From Drys.
Takes Punch From Law
By GRAFTON S. WILCOX
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire.

BY GKAFION ,. WlLSOA
Chicago Tribune Omaha Bee Leased Wire,
Washington, Aug. S.-Despite ali
unexpected display of wet" strength,
the senate by vote of SO to 20 today
passed the Campbell-Willis bill pre-"
hibiting physicians from prescribing
beer as medicine and otherwise
amending the Nolstead prohibition
enforcement act. 49,.
Wet forces. however, succeeded in
mastering such formidable array
OF votes that they. were able TO COM
pei the adoption of amendments. one
of them so important as to call forth
vehement protests from dry lead
ers that it would mullify the Vol
stead law.
This amendment was offered by
Senator Stanley of Kentucky. 1t
provides a fine Of 1000 and impris-
cnment for one year for prohibition
agents or any government enploye,
engaged in enforcement of prohlbi-
ton or an yother law, who searches
or attempts to search property or the
premises of any person without Sc
curing a search warrant.
Amendment Denounced.
Senator Willis OF Ohio, Senator
Sterling of South Dakota and SEN
ator Nelson OF Minnesota, who led
the fight for the anti-beer bill, de-
nounced the amendment in the
strongest language. They declared
that it would render the enforce-
ment of the prohibition law virtual
ly impossible. ~
Senator Lodge of Massachusetts,.
republican leader, urged adoption OF
the Stanley amendment.
He read the fourth amendment to
the constitution guaranteeing person
and property against unwarranted
search. -
"Those who violate the fourth
amendment should be punished just
as those who violate the eighteenth
amendi,ent," Senator Lodge de-
clared.
Senator Nelson insisted that the
amendment would encourage boot
leggers." He said it would render
authorities very powerless to halt
whisky running over the Canadian
border.
Bill Of Rights Upheld.
"If this law cannot be enforced
without violating the bill of rights
and without robbing property of its
privacy and sanctity it is time the
country knew about it," retorted
Senator Stanley.
Senator Borah of Idaho, an ardent
dry" joined in urging adoption OF
the Stanley amendment, because he
said it was time congress took steps
to compel obedience to the constitu-
tion in all laws as we'll as in prohibi-
ton enforcement.
Senator Willis contended that the
amendment would nullify the whole
prohibition law by tying the hands
of the enforcing agents"
The amendment, however, gained
SO much support that the drys finally
bowed to its adoption without de.
manding a roll cali.
Whether the amendment will sur
vive in conference with the house re-
mains to be seen, but the vets are
determined to make a hard fight for
it. They regard its adoption as tht
most important victory scored by the
anti-prohibition forces since the en-.
actment of the prohibition law.
pro,,;d.s Elm nm F;o>
In addition to compelling prohibi-
tion agents to observe the constitu-
ton, the Stanley amendment pro.
vides fine of $4,000 and imprison-
ment for five years for any person
not a duly authorized agent of the
government who subjects any per.
son to deprivation of his rights under
the constitution.
Before the final roll cali was taken
the senate adopted an amendment
offered by Senator Sterling author.
izing the internal revenue commiss
sioner to prohibit imports Of wine if
he found the domestic supply ade-
quate.
Another amendment by Senator
Sterling imposing more severe re-
striction on patent medicine manu-.
facturers was adopted.
The bill was passed by the house
nearly two months ago. It now goes
to conference.