The Omaha morning bee. [volume] (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927, 1922-12-11
Drys Still
Dominate
Congress
Hope of VETS 10 Modify Vol.
stead Act During Present
Session Cone-Fail
TO Cut Budget.
Amendments Defeated
u, ARTHUR SEARS HENNING.
Omaha Bee Leased Wire.

Washington, Dee. 10.--Reaction
against the yolstead act, manifested
conspicuously in a number of states
in the recent election, has resulted
in no appreeiable weakening of the
domination of this congress by the
"drys"
In the consideration of the Treas
urv department appropriation bill by
the house last week, all amendments
offered by the "wets" were over
whelmingly defeated and--sppropria-
tons voted for prohibition enforce
ment in accord with the plans of the
ultra "drys" for the fiscal year end
ing June so. 1924. Not until the next
congreNs convenes can the "wets'
and 'semi-wets' hope to gain a seri-
Gus hearing of proposals to modify
the Volstead law.
The "wets" endeavored unsuccess-
fully to obtain limitations on prohibi
ton appropriations which would pre-
vent their expenditure for dissemina-
tion of dry" propaganda by litera-
ture and speakers employed for that
purpose and for prohibition enforce
ment publicity.
Haynes Grilled.
Attention was directed to the grill
ing given Prohibition Commissioner
Haynes by the appropriations com
mittee in connection with the actiNi
ties OF Sherman A. Cuneo. author of
biography of President Harding,
entitled From Printer to President"
Representative Gallivan, democrat,
Massachusetts. cited publicity year
ago in which Mr.. Haynes was quoted
as stating that 10000. 900 Americans
had gone on the water wagon since
the enactment of the Nolstead law.
The congressman wanted TO know
the basis for this statement, express
ing the opinion that there never were
20 900. 900 drinking men in the coun-
try. He asked Mr.. Haynes how many
more persons had quit drinking in the
last year, contending that II the
number OF reformed drinkers is in
creasing, the enforcement fund could
be safely reduced. Mr. Haynes dis
claimed all knowledge of the state
ment attributed to him.
Less Drinking. :
But do believe" said Mr.. Haynes,
"that there have been very many
people who have during the past year
become less addicted to drink. There
is no question about that
would you say that 100000
more have gone on the water wagon
this year," asked Mr.. Gallivan
II would not make any apr oxima-
tion," replied Mr.. Haynes. Il am
speaking of the general condition only.
If we have the same appropriation con-
tinuously for six or eight years l feel
that conditions will improve each suc-
ceeding year. We are at the crisis
of the fight at this time"
Mr.. Haynes said he never heard that
his clerks and government, equipment
and supplies were used to prepare ad-
vertising for Mr.. Cuneo's biography
of President Harding.
In response to further questioning
Mr.. Haynes said that the Rev.
John Wesley Hill had been on the pay
roll up to two or three months ago
as a general agent" his work con
sisting in the delivery of addresses on
prohibition enforcement. lie said Mr..
Hill, Mr.. Cuneo and Miss Hopely were
employed to give information as to
what we are trying to do and what we
are doing"
"And some times they overstep the
mark" observed Mr.. Galllvau.
well, l do my best to supervise
that" said Mr.. Haynes.
The commissioner said these em-
ployes addressed women's clubs, w.
C T. u. and church societies, when
ever we are invited" the government
paying all travelling expenses.