The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-11-10

On the other hand the Association Against the Prohibition Amendment. through G. c. Hinckley. its seere- tary, claimed a gain of 80 "liberala votes Tn the House, which. it was asserted would give actua esa of that body to the modlfit 5plsts
 ''The pronounced increase a s wet membership" said Mi HtnaA ley's statement. renders hiesfy n. h- able the passage of the III sal iea islation in the next session 9f Can. eress that will strike the sg s,lsw at tho more stringent prov fons sr the Volstead act.
 yoIstead's Defeat
 Involved in this view, ,r ea9- sideration of the change In t9aasfthfpa of the powerful committedn ia EHs House. The defeat of Andrew ] Vol stead of Minnesota removes tHe ea. thor of the objectionable p7oasst ton act from the chairmansi lls eff shs House judiciary committee sfv.ae the place over to Representa- fse Gre ham of Pennsylvania. an ayowed wet
 The passing of MondeIi leaves tAs majority leadership on tha fl9er either to Representative Lcngss84th of Ohio or Representative Manh Of Illinois, both reelected, and both having been indorsed by the associa- ton because of their attitude on the prohibition issue"
 MT. Hnckley said the House lead ership would be in the hands of a liberal, and that this might be ex- pected to influence materially tho vote on any future liberal" leEis- lation. Also he was of the opinion that the result in Tuesdays election would have its effect- on members who hitherto have refrainod from voting on the enforcement question.
 Wheeier's Statement
 MT. Wheeler, In his statement, de- clsred that the claims of the associa- ton against the prohibition amend ment of a gain of 30 votes in tho neNt Hpuae. was likA the "foaru on q &iass on beer nnslftng substsnttHl to it."
 Tn the House." said MT. Wheeler, their total strength in the past for any beer or light wine amendment or similar weakening amendment to the national prohibition act was not more than 133. The last reports we have from the states, with few dis tricts out. show that they will never muster 40 votes for any such amend ment. Their vote will probably be much less than that
 "The only real test of sentiment on the 2.7h per cent beer issue thls year was In Ohio, where the proposal was defeated by more than 150, ,000. In Illinois the organized dry forces did not vote either way on the beer proposal.
 The defeat of the codes in Mas sachusetts and California is no loss because we never had any enforce ment codes in those states"
 Both the vets and the "drys" are preparing for fight in the new Con- gress. MT, HinclSley declared the out look was "extremely' favorable for the carrying out of the preliminary" program of his organization and other of the leaders of the "wets" entertained a similar view.
 Enforcement to Continue
 Just what the program of attack on the Volstead law will be has not yet been fully developed but 1t is expected to be a straight out propo- sition for the sale of light wines and beer. That proposal was put for ward in connection with the soldiers bonus bill at the last session but :t never received serious consideration. Representative Britten of Illinois an- nounced today, however, that 1t would be renewed.
 Treasury and other officials looked for proposals to modify the enforce ment act. Treasury offices, however. said the policy of strict enforcement would continue until Congress acted.
 Unless the question actually comes up in Congress it was indicated that little concern would be given at the treasury to the possible source of revenue which might be developed from taxes on beer and wine. Est- mates along this line probably will be called foY early. however, as some of the more pronounced of the lib erals have laid particular stress on this element in their arguments in support of a yolstead act amend ment.