Evening star., 1922-11-20
VETS INTRODUCE BILLS.

Bills to strengthen or to weaken
prohibition enforcement and to tax
swamp the House during this extra
session. This was revealed today in
the number that were introduced and
the announcement by members who
intend to introduce such measures.
Representative George w. Edmonds
OF Pennsylvania. in charge of the ship
subsidy legislation. also is working
on new prohibition enforcement bill
which he hopes to introduce in a few
days. He predicts that this will give
real enforcement at a cost of only
$2.000,00O instead of S12.000.000.
Maryland and Representative Fred A.
Britten of Illinois are among those who
introduced soldier bonus bills with
provisions for raising the necessary
funds by levying a tax on light wines
and beer.
Hill Bill IL Wet Opener.
In his modified bill Representative
Hill proposes to pay the soldier bonus
by tax OF 90 cents gallon on 2.75
per cent beer and cider. Such a tax.
he estimates, would pay soldier bonus
Of $500, 100000 in three years. This
Hill bill initiates the wet drive in this
and the next Congress.
Representative Hill has taken the
soldier bonus bill, passed by the last
ing. and whipped it into new form. He
eliminates all the optional features of
that measure and leaves only the cash
bonus section, which is substantially that
OF the vetoed bill.
The maximum bonus to a veteran
who served at home would be $500, with
a maximum Of s625 for veterans of the
overseas service, as originally provided
Hill Explains Bill.
q
said:
MY new bill provides settlement in
three equal amounts in cash, payable
July 1. 1928. 1924 and 1925. ali claims
10 be fiied ID by BY May l.. 1923. 1t will
cost cost sl'6oo.ooo;,ooo: instead of from
by. the old bonus bill. and would be
paid at the rate Of $500, 100000 a year,
the whole amount to be raised in
three years by tax of 20 cents a
gallon on beer and cider Gncluding
fruit juices) containing not more
than 2.15 per cent of acohol by VOL
ume.
The bill modifies the volstead act
by substituting 2.75 per cent for one
half Of l per cent.
Fruit Juice Up to States.
This bill will permit 2.75 per cent
beer. cider and fruit juices in New
York, Maryland. Massachusetts,, Illi-
want them. The figures 1 presented
to the ways and means committee
of the House when l first introduced
such bill show that 20 per cent
tax on 2.75 per cent beer and cider
will raise $500.000,000 a year on the
pre-war basis of beer consumed in
the United States
Representative Britten claims that
the nominal tax he proposes to pay
the soldier bonus will be paid more
cheerfully than any tax the govern
ment has ever levied. He says it not
tire national debt in twenty years.
"The President will not again veto
the soldier bonus bill IL suitable legis-
lation is provided for raising the $4.-
900, ,000. 900 necessary to satisfy adher-
ents of the bill recently passed by
both branches OF Congress-" said Rep
resentative Britten.
Calls Law Ridiculous.
..The time is peculiarly ripe for the
imposition of $700.000.000 annual
tax. which will hurt no one. but, on
the contrary. will meet with the
hearty approval of more than 60,000.-
900 Of people whoss pS .ns5ty
law that is being broken daily in
every state OF the Union.
"Before the war we manufactured
large quantities of excellent still
wines and champagnes, besides sixty
five and a half millions barrels Of beer
I'VE imported more than six mil
lion gallons of still wines and nearly
three hundred thousand cases Of
champagne per annum.
"When Congress convenes tomor-
row, I shall reintroduce the bonus
bill, with q provision for raising, the
funds for same by tax of $40 bar
rel on domestic beer; $50 barrel on
imported beer: $40 gallon on i'm
ported champagne; IS a gallon on i'm
ported still wines and 81 a gallon on
domestic wines. 90 .t Il
Tax VIII Bring Cheer.
~"This nominal tax will raise more
than seven hundred millions annually
and will be paid more cheerfully than
any tax the government has ever
levied.
'It will pay tho bonus and pay off
our entire national debt in twenty
years.
"My bill will provide for 4 per cent
beer and IA per cent light wines. to
be consumed away from the place of
purchase. The old-fashioned saloon
must not be restored. -.
.'Millions Of dollars now going into
the pockets of bootleggers and moon
sinners will be employed in legiti-
mate channels through the payment
Of q soldiers bonus, and the hip
pocket flask SO detrimental to young
manhood will be q thing Of the past.
Drunken parties and murderous