The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1921-06-01
Harding Faction
Wins Fight
Senate Confirms Nomination of
Blair, of North Carolina Fer
Internal Revenue Com
missioner

Washington, May 26.--The nomi-
nation of David Il. Blair Of Winston
Salem, N. c., to be internal revenue
commissioner was confirmed today by
the senate over the opposition OF
Senator Johnson, and others.
The vote was So to Is. Blairs op-
ponents included seven Republicans
and eight Democrats.
Senator Johnson made his final
tight in an executive session of the
senate but was voted down after
sharp debate.
Mr.. Blalr's confirmation fills va
cancy in the Office of internal reFenue
commissioner which has existed for
fortnight, with Secretary Mellon
acting in the interim. Many impoi-
sant affairs, including prohibition rul-
ings, await action by the new com
missioner. Seven Republicans and
eight Democrats joined in opposing
1dr. Blair against whom charges We're
brought by Senator Johnson. He ac-
eused Mr.. Blair of having violated
the. North Carolina primary law as a
delegate at the. Chicago Republican
convention last June by failing to
support the California senator who
was high in North Cardinals prefer
snee primary Senator Johnson also
eOntended that AIr. Blair was dis.
qualified because income tax appeals
Of the nominees relatives were pend
Ing for action before the Internal
revenue bureau. Both charges were
denied at q recent hearing before the
senate finance committee which rec
SHamended confirmation.
The opponents OF Mr.. blair it was
said included the following: Borah,
johnson, Jones, washington, Kenyon
Ladd, La Follete, Nordeck, Noyes,
Republicans; Ashurst. Harris, Harri-
son, Reed, Sheppard, Walcott and
Watson Georgia. Democrats.
Besides q multitude OF tax matters
which have been held in abeyance
during the past weeks many impor-
fant prohibition question await set
fiemett by the new commissioner,
treasury officials said today.
Foremost of liquor problems is the
issuance of regulations covering the
use of beer for medicinal purpose un-
aer the opinion rendered by former
Attorney General Palmer on March 3.
These regulations il is said have been
prepared and await the approval OF
the commissioner.
Another medicinal use Of alcohol
awaiting the attention Of the COM
missioner. it was said, is the issuance
Of regulations lifting the limit from
the number of prescriptions a physi-
clan may write for whiskey. Under
the same opinion handed down by
Mr.. Palmer, officials declared ii was
neld+ that the bureau has no right to
FIX the arbitrary limit Of 100 prescrip-
tions in 80 days now in force. New
regulations have been drafted ten
1atively in this connection, it was
added.
{. One of the prohibition decisions
Mr.. Blair will be called upon to make,
officials asserted is in connection
with sacramental wine. Under the
bureaus rules. it was said wholesale
aieuor dealers have been forbidden
10 do business arc churches are re-
quired to obtain wine for sacramental
purposes from wholesale druggists.
Protest has been entered by re-
Agious bodies officials said on the
ground that the churches, could not
obtain wine Of standard quality from
the druggists. The churchmen con-
tend, it was explained that wholesale
liquor dealers who conflne their busi-
ness to supplying sacramental wine
to religious organizations, should be
exempted from the bureaus ban 50
that the churches may obtain the
proper wines for services