New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1922-06-15
Subsidy Bill Amendment
Planned; Busch Tells
Harding Government Is
Worlds Big Booilegger
Lasker TO Wait
For Court Action
Beer Propaganda, Asserts
Wheeler; Says Court
Has Darrcd Wet Boats
By Carter Field

WASHINGTON, June l4.-Ihs
selling Of liquor on American pas
senger ships as soon as they get
outside tho threc-mile limit was AL
most the sole topic Of discussion in
Washington to-day. Everybody has
known it for some time, but there
has been a sort Of tacit conspiracy
Of silence because il has been the be-
lief that the removal of this priv
ilegc would simply make the opera
ton Of liners under the American
flag out Of the question.
These were to-day's developments:
-Anheuser-Busch interests made
public a bitter attack on the Ship.
ping Board Tor permitting the selling
OF liquor, charging that this made the
United States "incomparably the big.
gest bootlcggcr in the world" This
attack was in a letter from August
A. Busch, forwarded % President
Harding by Adolphus Busch.
Chairman A. d. Llsker Of the
Shipping Board made vigorous re.
ply. saying he would continue 20 sell
liquor on American ships until tho
Supreme Court ruled it illegal. lie
added spice 10 the controversy BY
charging that the Busch family for
tune was founded by close friend
Of the Kaiser and that the present 4
move 20 drive the American merchant
marine would be pleasing 70 their<
German friends.
3-In both houses Of Congress
there were moves 90 amend the shn
subsidy act so as 70 mako Illegal tho
selling Of liquor on American ships
even outside the three-mile limit.
Beer Move, Says Wheeler
4. Wayne B. Wheeler, Of the Anti
Saloon League, issued a statement
attacking the Busch statement as
simply an effort 20 dlscredit pro-
hibition and create sentiment for tho
sale Of beer" The most Important
part OF his statement, however IN
dlcates that by a decision Of the Sp-
preme Court the whole question H.
been adjusted without any discrimi-
nation against American ships.
5. Prohibition Commissioner Hayes
issued a statement saying there had
been n difference OF opinion as 20
whether liquor could or could not DO
sold on American ships outside the
three-mile limii, and until this was
decided by the proper departments
he did not propose TO act.
Drys Eager to Act
The chief interest in the controversy
naturally is in what will grow out OF
IT, The dry majority in Congress Is
ready and almost eager 10 pass any
laws which the Anti-Slloon League
may deem necessary. Mr. Wheeler be-
lieyes that the decision Of the Su-
preme Court Of May 10. 1922. prevents
any ship, whether foreign or Ameri'
can, from bringing a drop OF liquor
into any American port. This IS wnal
he means b. his statement that TINS
Supreme Court decision happily ma.
removed the discrimination against
American ships. A..
Mr.. Wheeler says that FOR the tim'
being he is content 20 wait until tn'
Department Of Justice hos determined
its policy as a result OF that decision
After that policy has been worked ou'
the Anti-Saloon League will determine
Mr.. Wheeler said. what legislation u
will be necessary 20 ask Of Congress-
The views Of Mr. Wheeler. In con
nection with his formal statement TO
day, are most interesting In view OF
a recent conference on this question
OF selling liquor on American SHIPS
with Chairman Lasker OF the Shipplni
Board.
Laster Defends Course
STANDING Mr. Lasker said today
"on the opinion Of the general counsel
OF the board that the prob bition Law
does not apply 20 ships outside tns
three-mile limit, we will continue the
practice until am convinced that th'
Interpretation Of eur counsel ~ un.
sound. which | don't think IL Is. or until
the Supreme Court hands down a de
cision stipulating that IL Is illegal foi
American ships 70 do what foreigr
ships touching our ports do"
In his reply TO Mr.. Busch, hr. Laske'
said:
so long as other maritime nations
continue 20 serve liquors 70 American
passengers am ashamed 20 state ina
nv experience leads me 10 believe there
is a sufficient number Of Ameriean'
without proper pride In their own nal
or ships who would divert their trade
10 foreign flags 10 the extent that th'
would be, from a proht op
Grating standpoint, very heavily agains'
the American ship.
Wants Equal Treatment
81 do not believe / speak inadyisedlJ
when state that so long as foreign
ships can enter America serving liquor
the lack OF that privilege might be th'
very determining factor In the life OF
death OF the American merchant ma
rine. and that so long as foreign
ships are allowed the privilege OF en-
tering and departing from American
ports serving liquor, that same priv.
lege must be allowed our merchant
ships.
IN the sale OF liquor be prohibited
on all boats entering or departing from
American ports there is no voice "
the Shipping Board that would b'
raised in protest.
both from the standpoint OF lega
right and from the standpoint Of thi
life and security OF our national mer
chant marine the Shipping Board hai
permitted, and will continue 70 permi,
the serving OF liquor on its ships -
long as foreign flag ships are sllowe'
10 enter the privilege.
Calls Charge selfish
"I believe you 70 be thoroughly sci
nsh and that you are acting In the hop'
OF creating a public revolt against pro
hibition so that you may revive th'
sale Of your liquors, utterly regardles
OF how you might hrrt the American
merchant marine In your effort q
create situation 10 benefit you