Evening star., 1932-12-30

The vote in the House Of Repre-
sentatives in favor of legislation for
taxation Of beer with alcohol to the
percentage Of 80 by weight is viewed
by the country as surprising change
Of sentiment in Congress. 1t Is recog-
nized that there are uncertainties as
to the future, but some attention Is
the beverage will reach the consumer
Passage Of the Collier bill by vote
Of $50 to 1885," says the Rock Island
Argus, marks the first real victory
achieved by the wet cause in IL years, "
and that paper recalls that "the largest
vote for beer previously recorded in
the House was cast last May. when the
vets polled a total of 169 votes as
against dry vote of 228." The Charles
ton Is. c. Evening Post comments on
"the great progress made" pointing
out that heretofore this Congress
could not be moved to give its counte-
nance to beer Of any content beyond
that specified by Mr.. volstead, one-half
Of l per cent"
The striking change in strength Of
the wet cause Is brought out In COM
ment by the Scranton Times, which
quotes the argument that prohibition
was put over by a minority" and
that cit never represented the thought
and will Of the majority" The Cleve-
land News predicts "scrapping of the
bunglesome machinery of prohibition
and the approval OF sensible method
Of handling the liquor problem SO as
to safeguard dry States and put the
bootlegger out Of business" The ProN-
dence Bulletin holds that the action
t.~1,-
ment Of the voters in the last election"
and the Oshkosh Daily Northwestern,
interpreting the development as "his-
tory making" adds: THE vote re-
vealed 1873 Democrats and e6 Republi-
cans and one Farmer -Laborite were for
legalizing beer as provided in the bill,
while "a Democrats and 101 Repubn-
cans voted in opposition. In the final
lineup favoring modification were II
Democrats and 43 Republicans who are
lame ducks members who will not re-
turn to the House in the next Con-
gress. Lame ducks opposing the
measure included IL Democrats and
50 Republicans, total of 81" The
Louisville Courier journal agreed that
"the great majority of the House mem
bers are convinced that prohibition was
an issue in the election"
"That the experiment Of beer Of low
per cent Is worth making goes without
saying" in the opinion of the Toledo
Blade, and the Chicago Tribune, noting
the separation Of beer and wine in leg
islation, remarks: THE interim prov-
sion for a palatable malt beverage con-
tains . benefit both for the relief of an
overtaxed country and for the revival
Of q sense Of adult competence. The
wtne-producing States may think 1t in
equitable that their product. cannot go
along with the emancipation OF beer,
but they should reason that their cause
cannot be aided by obstructing the re-
lease of privileges as to beer"
A court contest Is suggested as pos
sibility by the Roanoke World-News and
the Oakland Tribune, while thoughts Of
q veto are indicated by the Minneapolis
journal. The Boston Transcript voices
the criticism: THE best friends OF
eventual repeal are not the vets, who
are stumbling over themselves to give
q doubtful beer to the people. The drys
have insisted upon rigorous observance
Of the law Of the land. The vets should
not be behind them in respect for Or
derly procedure"
"ln the beer discussion in and out Of
Congress-" says the Philadelphia Eve
ming Bulletin, 1T has appeared that