Douglas daily dispatch., 1926-05-18
NETS-DRVS N
SENATE RENEW
THEIR BATTLE
tBy Dispatch 5. ?. wirel

fV1A0AAA4NO O4N1 NACeJ Ae'
The battle between the
vets and drys in the senate
was renewed today with the
formal reporting Of the adj
ministrations new dry law
enforcement bill from the
judiciary committee.
In presenting the measure, Chair
man Means of the subcommittee
which held extended hearings on the
prohibition question, declared it was
based upon the experience of that.
department in enforcing th2 volstead
act.
Coincident with the submission of
the committee report, Senator Edge,
republican, New Jersey, a leader of
the vets, issued a statement in which
he asserted that the measure was a
*direct and unmistakable admission
that the Volstead act can never be
enforced. He added that the pro-
posed amendments to that act indi-
rectly encourage law violations.
Senator Means expects to call up
the bill in the near future, but the
vets predict that it will not be passed
at this session. They plan to offer
as amendments the bills which they
have introduced for modification of
5 the Volstead law.
While the senate was receiving the
administration measure, the house
70 na 10
authorizing an appropriation of $9,-
100000 to be used in the construction
of 10 cutters for the coast guard
which is charged with controlling
liquor smuggling from the sea.
In recommending the new enforce
ment measure urged by Assistant Sec
retary Andrews, in charge of dry law
enforcement, Senator Means said it
was not intended to interfere with
legitimate business but was intended
to aid the government in it's attempt
to eliminate llesSI ma1ufs,c ture, use
and sale of intoxicants. Referring to
the section of the bill permitting the
search Of dwellings, where liquor is
manufactured for commercial pur-
poses, Senator Means said it was not
intended that the homes of private
citizens should be invaded. He adj
ded that the object was to reach only
those dwellings, which had been con-
.verted into distilleries.,
THE source Of supply of the liquor
traffic being more and more limited
by enforcement officials, the traffic
is being forced to manufacture its
own product Senator Means said.
'"They have ingeniously taken advan-
tage of the protection which the law
affords private dwellings by securing
such a dwelling placing family
therein as residents and employing
the head of the family at a salary as
watchman."
Adverting to this section of the
measure Senator Edge in his state
rnent said it was his understanding
that this would in effect grant inn
munity for the home production of
any beverage no matter what the
strength.
I'm, fact it invites citizens to en-
gage in home production he added.
aOnly when evidence is produced
that such manufacture is for the pur-
pose of barter or exchange is there
to be any investigation or protest.
suppose InlS new uIy pollcy VIII
aid enforcement. But what does it
contribute in the interest of real tenn
Derance?
"Other suggested changes seem to
be practically meaningless unless the
provision increasing penalties for
Smuggling is considered important.
From the testimony of General An
drews, smuggling contributes a very
small portion of the present mex
haustible supply. Home stills and
denatured alcohol produces more than
the market can absorb and at mucn
less cost so no one will worry much
about increasing the penalty for
smuggling"
The bill as reported by the senate
committee was introduced in the
house by Chairman Graham.
1c2 INDIANS IN STATE
A 6NNT