Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-11-10

| heretofore. and that their strength in
the house would not exceed 140, or 7S
less than majority.
On the other hand. the Association
Against the Prohibition Amendment,
| through G. c. Hinckley, its general
secretary, claimed gain of 50 lib
erap' votes in the house, which, it was
asserted, would give actual control of
the body to the modificationists
THE pronounced increase in the
wet membership" said Mr.. Hickley's
statement. renders highly probable
the passage of liberal legislation in
the next session of congress that will
strike the first blow at the more
stringent provisions Of the Volstead
act.
Wet Replaces VoIstead
Involved in this view is a consider
alton of the change of headships of the
powerful COMMITTEES in the house. The
defeat of Andrew J. Volstead of Min
nesota removes the author of the OBJ
jectionable prohibition act from the
Craftsmanship of the house judiciary
Representative Graham of Pennsyl-
vania, an avowed wet
''The passing Of Mondell leaves the
majority leadership on the floor either
to Representative Longworth of Ohio
or Representative Mann of Illinois.
both re-elected and both having been
indorsed by the association because of
their attitude on the prohibition is
sue
Mr.. Hinckley said the house leader .
ship would be in the hands of lib
eraF' and that this might be expected
to Influence materially the vote on any
future liberal legislation Also he
was of the opinion that the result in
Tuesdays election would have its eff
feet on members who hitherto have
refralned from voting on the enforce
ment amendment.
Mr. Wheeler, in his statement. de-
clared that the claims of the Associa-
ton Against the Prohibition Amend
ment of a gain of so votes in the next
house was like the foam on a glass
OF beer nothing substantial to it,
Wheeler Scores Claim
In the house." said Mr.. 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 districts
out. show that they will never muster
40 votes for any such amendment
Their vote will probably be much less
than that.
THE only real test of sentiment on
the 2.T5 per cent beer issue this year
was in Ohio. where the proposal was
defeated by more than 10000. In
Illinois. the organized dry forces did
not vote either way on the beer pro-
posal.
THE defeat of the codes in Massa-
chusetts and California is no less. be-
cause We never had any enforcement
codes in those states
Both the .drys'' and the '.wets" are
preparing for Il fight in the new con
gress. Mr.. Hinckley declared the out
look was extremely" favorable for the
carrying cut of the preliminary" pro-
gram of his organization. and others
of the leaders of the 'wets" enter
tanned similar view.
Just what the program of attack on
the Folstead law will be has not vet
n fully developed. but it is expected
to be straight-out proposition for
the sale of light wines and beer That
proposal was put forward in eonnec-
ton with the soldiers bonus bill at
the last session but it never received
''aus consideration. Representative
Britton of Illinois announced Thurs
day. however, that it would be renewed.
Treasury and other officials looked
for proposals 10 modify the enforce
ment act Treasury officers. how
ever. said the policy of strict enforce
ment would continue until congress
acted.