The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-21

from hours of bitter debate and unceasing political pressure that kept the issue in doubt.
 A democratic poll forecast pas sage by only five votes-a margin so scant that the slightest shift might kill prohibition modification at the short session.
 The bill faced a gauntlet of amendments before the final roll call, any one of which would rid dle the committee draft. Six hours of stormy debate demonstrated that the Collier measure in it's pres ent draft has few friends except within the ranks of the real wet bloc" Congressman after con- gresman demanded changes in everything from taxation to alco- holic content.
 Many leaders believed the major fight would center around three proposed amendments. Success of any one of them would constitute a devastating republication for Speaker Garner and his Organiza- tion.
 They were:
 1-Reduction of the alcoholic content from 3.2 per cent to 2.75.
 2-Strict federal regulation of distribution and sale.
 3-IIigher taxation. The present draft provides, for q $500 per bar rel levy, $1.00 less than the pre- prohibition levy.
 All amendments were conceded a chance of house approval by rank ing democrats who have carefully sized up the situation. Adoption of any one of the three would, it was believed, pile up additional votes for final passage.
 While the oratorical storm ragged on the floor, leaders were quietly at work fighting desperately to hold their weakening lines for passage of the bill without change. Democratic members were being given to understand that a man who bolts the party platform and votes against modification stands little chance of preferment in the next and overwhelmingly anti-pro- hibitionist congress.
 Senate on Repeal
 Washington, Dec 21.-(UP)-A senate judiciary sub-comimttee to- day drafted a prohibition repeal resolution which committee mem- bers agreed would, if adopted, pro- tect dry states and bar the saloon.
 Chairman Blaine explained that the committee members had not yet accepted or rejected the resolu- tion.
 He said the decision on it would depend on whether the sub-com- mittee desires to place in the con- stitution the various principles pro- Io, nf hn ssnf ff copy.
 The text of the resolution so far is as follows:
 "Section ]. The 18th amend ment to the constitution is hereby repealed.
 "Section 2. The transportation or importation into any stases, ter ritory or possession of the United States for delivery or use therein, of intoxicating liquors. in viola ton of the laws thereof, is hereby prohibited.
 Section 3. Congress shall have concurrent power to regulate or prohibit the sale of intoxicating liquors to be drunk on the prem ises where sold"
 A four section fixing the manner in which repeal should be sub- mitted to the states remains to be adopted.
 After that we will get down to brass tacks and begin voting on these various sections" Blaine said.
 We have not agreed on the principles stated in the resolution, but we have agreed that if we decide to adopt these principles. the language of the resolution as drafted so far would repeal the 18th a,nendment, protect dry states. prevent the return of the saloon and bring the whole sub ject within control of the states.