New-York tribune., 1921-09-23
Tax Legislation
Sidetracked by
Report on Beer
Drys Insist Bill Must Be
Passed Before Revenue
Measure Is Taken Up:
Harding to Urge Haste
Shields Denounces Law
Warns Advocates Drastic
Provisions Will Not Pro.
mote Prohibition Cause
From The Tribune's Washington Bur.au

From The Tribune's Wdshinot Bureau
WASHINGTON, Sept. 22.--Insistence
Of the drys in the Senate on forcing
consideration of the conference report
on the beer bill to-day prevented the
tax bill from being taken up and
brought about another long discussion
OF the beer measure. Senator Sterling
IN charge of the conference report
forced a motion for its nsideration.
Senator Willis, of Ohio, one of the
authors of the beer bill, in a conference
with President Harding told him what
the parliamentary situation was and Of
the insistence of the drys that the beer
Dill pe held before the Senate and
passed. Senator Willis later inform ed
his colleagues that the President would
use his influence to have the confer.
ence report on beer acted on quickly
to clear the decks.
Bryan Sees Sterling
Late to-day Senator Sterling tried to
get the beer bill made unfinished bust.
ness and parliamentary tangle re-
suited, which was not ended when the
Senate went into executive session
William Jennings Bryan was at the
capitol and saw Senator Sterling.
Senator Shields, of Tennessee, one OF
the foremost constitutional lawyers on
the Democratic side, spoke at length
against the beer bill. He condemned
extreme enforcement legislation and
denounced government by the Anti.
Saloon League and the lobbyists. His
remarks were aimed at Wayne B
Wheeler, general counsel of the Anti.
Saloon League, although he did not
name Mr.. Wheeler.
Senator Shields said he was appre-
hcnsiye that the beer bill would nulli-
complish, and that it would not bring
better enforcement Fundamental
rights, he said, were at stake and the
advocates of the bill had not answered
the arguments of its opponents.
The Eighteenth Amendment should
be enforced in a reasonable manner
said Senator Shields. at should not
be enforced more drastically than the
laws against treason, murder and other
crimes
He said more money was appropriated
TOR enforcement of the prohibition act
than for all other laws put together.
Senator Shields asserted the Bill want
Tar beyond the constitutional limits.' II
Bill illogical and Delusive"
at is snare and a delusion to think
that this legislation further protects
the citizen under the Fourth Amend
ment," said Senator Shields. at is
confusing, illogical, delusive and af-
fords no safeguard to the sanctity of
the home"
The Senator took the view that the
conference report in dealing with
searches did not throw additional pro-
lection over the home, as the drys have
insisted. He said enforcement agents
"will continue their oppression and ty-
ranny." He urged that the bill be re-
committed and the parts be eliminated
which would, as he saw it, permit an
officer to enter private dwelling with
out q warrant.
Senator Shields was interrupted sew
eral times by Senators Watson, of Geor-
gia, Stanley and others. At one stage
discussion of religious persecution
was brought up by Senator Watson.
Senator Stanley declared himself
against all persecution. whether
through religion, the KuKlux Klan or
any other organization.