New-York tribune., 1922-10-31
Mellon Would
Let Wet Ships
Touch u. S. Isles
Joins in, Advocacy of Act
Giving Foreign Vessels
Old Liquor Status at
Possessions of America
Enforcement Is Held Up
Treasury Awaits Supreme
Court Decision ON Ex-
tent of Daugherty Ruling

From The Tfs5une's Washington Barsau
WASHINGTON, Oct. 30.-Secretary
Mellon said to-day that st would be
desirable," from the Ajainistra
standpoint, to ask Congress for an
amendment to the Volstead act per
mitting foreign vessels the same
status in the insuiar territories Of the
United States that they had before the
Daugherty ruling, providing the SUI
prems Court holds the ruling applies
in full to the outlying possessions of
the United States. He Is the second
member of the Presidents Cabinet 10
voice this attitude. M
The Treasury Secretary said he ey-
poets the Supreme Court will act on
this liquor question before the end
Of November. In the mean time the
regulations for the enforcement of the
Daugherty ruling will be withheld, he
said, explaining that the Treasury con-
siders that length Of time reason
able" He indicated that delay past
the end Of next month probably would
force the Treasury's hand in the mat
fer~and necessitate the issuance of the
regulations.
No Effect on United States Ships
American vessels would in no way
be affected BY the kind of amendment
the Administration has in mind, it was
declared, nor would foreign ships ZEN
JOY any privileges over them" as the
result Of such Legislation. The idea
around which the amendment would be
framed merely would allow foreign
bottoms the right to touch at American
island possessions with their liquors
sealed within the three-mile zones.
Mr.. Mellon admitted that such re-
quest to Congress undoubtedly would
bring storm Of protests from the
more rabid drys in that body, at least.
There are a good many members who
hold views similar to those expressed
some time ago by Representative Up
shaw, Democrat, of Georgia, who de-
clared he would rather see the whole
merchant marine on the bottom of the
sea if every drop of liquor was not
taken off. Still others are expected to
object on the ground that considerations
of such an amendment would open the
way for other notifications of the dry
law. Despite this, however, Mr.. Mellon
expressed confidence that enactment of
the amendment could be obtained.
The Secretary would not discuss the
pcaIiNR tHdL enforcement OF the Uaugh-
erty ruling may have on the pending
shipping, bill, other than to say that
the new conditions will not cause re-
drafting of the measure.
May Have to Return Liquor
As the result of the precedent estab-
lished by the recent release of the
Canadian schooner Emerald, with her
cargo of 1000 cases of whisky, the
government may be compelled, it was
predicted by Treasury officials, to re-
turn the 100000 gallons seized from
ships flying foreign flags outside the
three-mile zone. This also would call
for dismissal Of the cases pending in
Federal courts against the owners OF
ships and cargoes.
Since the action in the Emerald case
Federal Attorneys have been besieged
by legal representatives of these ships
with requests for releases of the stocks.
The whole question is declared to be
up before Attorney General Daugherty,
and instructions are expected to be
issued by him. Some Of these cases
have been pending for two years.