New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1921-07-09
Senators Put
Snaggs i'm Path
Of "Beer Bill
Plan for Immediate Vote
ls Defeated and Extent
OF Opposition Indicates
Prolonged Debate Ahead
Wadsworth Sharp Critic
Measure Would Operate as
Incentive to Theft and
Law Violation, He SAYS

From The Tribunes Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, July 8.-Signs of de-
termined opposition to the Campbell
Willis bill, known as the "beer emer-
gency" bill, developed in the Senate to-
day Although the measure was taken
up for consideration by vote of 43 to
16, on motion of Senator Sterling, so
much discussion arose that little prog
ress was made.
| Senator Wadsworth served notice
that the bill would not be permitted to
go to an immediate vote and Senators
Broussard Gerry, Shortridge and 9TH
ers made it plain they would insist on
full discussion. While no protracted
tilibuster is likely, it is clear there is
much debate still ahead.
| Senator Wadsworth sharply denounced
the bill and said it would increase
stealing and law violation.
ut will tempt every physician in
every hospital in the country to vio-
late the law" he added.
Senator Wadsworth said that under
the bill eff liquor is stolen from
warehouse and you can't prove col
fusion between the owner and the thief
the tax will not be collected" He con-
! tended the effect of this would be to
make more law-breaking than ever and
encourage collision between owners of
liquor in warehouses and thieves.
Senator'S Wadsworth, Broussard and
Gerry also criticized the limitations
put on the amount of vinous or spir-
ituous liquor that may be prescribed.
Senator Walsh of Montana, said the
provisions with respect to exemption
of taxes on liquor stolen from ware
houses were not sought by the friends
of l.. l..A
turers, and in colloquy with Senator
Wadsworth he expressed surprise that
those "solicitous for the manufactu-
rers'' should object. Senator Wads-
worth said he was solicitous to pre-
vent reign of law violation.
Senators. who voted against taking
up the bill when Senator Sterling
moved its consideration included
Brandegee, Calder, Cameron, Johnson,
Knox. La Toilette. Moses. Shortridge,
Wadsworth and Weller, Republicans;
and Broussard, Gerry, King. Pomerene,
Walsh of Massachusetts and Watson
of Georgia, Democrats.
Senator Sterling, explaining the bill,
said it was needed emergency legis-
lation, and that the manufa .turers of
beer, under the opinion of Attorney
General Palmer, "are now applying to
the Commissioner of Internal Revenue
Tor regulations covering the manufact-
ure of beer for medicinal purposes"
He insisted the object of the bill.
among other things, was "to encourage
and promote the manufacture of alco-
hol for industrial purposes" and that
medical men generally were agreed
that beer has no place for medicinal
purposes"
Senator Sterling was closely quizzed
by Senators Spencer, Wadsworth,
Rroussard and Gerry about that feature
OF the bill which limits q physician to
spirituous liquor containing not to ex-
coed one half pint of alcohol in ten
days. 1t was pointed out this would
| limit a patient to a quart of wine in
ten days and pint of whiskey.
Senator Sterling insisted the re-
| strictions had to be drastic in order to
enforce prohibition.
alcohol bath once day under this
bill ?" asked Senator Wadsworth.
ut is" said Senator Sterling "The
restrictions are with regard to internal
use"
Senator Knox wanted to know wheth-
er there was any protection to the pa
tient as to the quality of liquor pre-
scribed for him, or whether physicians
| "can prescribe all the moonshine and
| synthetic stuff that may be gotten up
| by the bootleggers."
Senator Sterling replied there was
nothing in the bill bearing on this.
Senator Knox thought there should be
a pure liquor feature to the proposed
law.
Senator Gerry protested that the
provisions of the bill were "an out
rageous smirch on the finest body of
men the country has," referring to the
physicians. He pointed out that under
the bill, if physician had pneumo-
MIA patient, he could allow him only
quart of wine in ten days or be guilty
Of violating the law if he found the
patient needed more and allowed it.
Senator Sterling said the pending
bill was no stricter in this respect
than the existing prohibition law. SEN
ator Broussard sought to show the
limitations of the bill were the more
stringent.
White House SPOTLIGHT Fails