Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-05-13

Washington, May 12-Scenes of
the days when the drys were battling
TO put John Barleycorn outside the
male Of law We're re-enacted today
before the House judiciary commit
tee, except that few friends of Johns
family appeared to protest against
Chairman Volstead's plan to cut off,
even for medicinal purposes the heri-
tagc Of beer.
Outstanding in the testimony was
the statement by Oliver T. Remmers,
counsel for the Anheuscr Busch
Company of st. Louis that the firms
poIicv was beer for all or beer for
none" He requested n conSrcSSion-
al Investigation of "favoritism and
fallurC" in enforcement of the dry
cod, and declared that his firm stood
four square for law enforcement al
though unalterably opposed to prohi-
biton.
DIV leaders said there were many
leaks in the stocks of liquor and
urged the committee to make the
Nolstcad law air tight. DR. DAWN OF
New York, who pleaded for the use
o. beer as medicine, however, resent
cd the move by MI NolStead to die
tat to physicians what they shall
Or shall not prescribe ard urged the
committee to await consideration OF
the bill by tho American Medical AS
ISOLATION at its meeting next month.
Mr. Nolstead sought to establish
why it was not possible for physi-
clans to make medical beer by using
cereal beverages and alcohol He
asked Dr. DAWN several questions
along this line none of which APP
parently were answered to the salts
faction of the committee chairman
who finally blurtcd out:
Look here. you're trying to evade
every question | ask. Tell us what
YOU know, if you know SO much"
The witness again attempted an
explanation but was interrupted by
Mr., NClstead who inquired why cereal
beverages were not as good for the
invalid as beer with a kick
All, That's the point" the witness
replied. Near beer is just like near
craftsmanship, it can't accomplish
any noticeable result"
Il don't know what you are talking
about" returned the chairman, nor
DO | think your insults will get very
far with this committee"
Several committee members evin-
ced interest in the kind of diseases
for which the witness said he would
prescribe beer. Most of them, how.
ever, We're said by the witness to
yield slowly to curative treatment.
Some were durable only in exception
al cases he added.
During the discussion of law en-
forcement E. V. Claypool. superin-
tendent of the Rhode Island Anti
Saloon League. told the committee
the Volstead law was unpopular in
his state. Despite the fact that
Rhode Island is the smallest state in
area, Mr.. Claypool declared it pre-
Sented the maximum difficulties in
enforcement Of the dry law.
The Rhode Island legislature prop
erIy represented the state in refusing
10 ratify the 18th amendment, Mr..
Claypool said. adding that he be-
iieved it was doubtful whether the
amendment would be ratified in that
state even now.
Officials of the American Drug
Manufacturers Association were be-
lore the committee to discuss tech
meal provisions of the bill. The as
ISOLATION was represented by spokes-
men rs favorinS the prohibition of
Deer but as objecting to some of the
provisions apertaining to their lines
Of industry.
Fear was expressed by several drug
makers that if the prescribing of
beer was permitted. wholesale and
retail drug establishments would be
transformed into mere dispensers of
beer and that the change would
lower the ethical standard Of the
business.
The hearings will be continued to-
morrow.