Evening star., 1932-12-13
DRY LEADERS TELL
CONGRESS IT LACKS
BEER LAW POWER.
Cannon Declares Such an Act
Would "CIearIy Be Un.
constitutional"
GARNER PREDICTS ACTION
IN HOUSE NEXT TUESDAY
Ways and Means Committee Hears
Foes of Collier Bill at
Session Today.
BY the Associated Press

By the Associated Press.
Prohibition leaders rallied behind
Bishop James Cannon, jr.. today to pre-
sent to the House Ways and Means
Committee the argument that Congress
is without power to fix the alcoholic
content of beverages.
Speaking to the committee members
grouped about their high horseshoe
table, ste Southern Methodist church.
man stood at the front of crowd that
pressed SO tightly against the outer
doors that one woman collapsed and
had to be removed.
The mad rush of certain groups to
legallze beer reminds one of Nero
fiddling while Rome burns" he said.
1T is generally admitted by the men
on the street that beer without a kick
will not be sold"
He argued that if beer was intoxicat-
ing, it would clearly be unconstitu-
tional."
Action Foreseen Tuesday.
Meanwhile, Speaker Garner, at his
press conference. said he thought the
Collier beer bill probably could be
brought up in the House next Tuesday.
The Ways and Means Committee will
nave TINS week end to complete the
Dill, ne said. "Of course. they might
run into some difficulties, but l should
thlnk the bill would be ready for intro
ouction Monday"
He added he thought it would be
brought up under the regular House
rules, allowing chances to vote on as
many amendments as members wanted
to offer
At the hearing Bishop Cannan pre-
Sented numerous resolutions by various
cnurch organizations protesting against
change in the prohibition laws.
Earlier Deets Pickett. research secre-
hibition and Public Morals Of tbe
Methodist Episcopal Church, said there
had been some" change in prohibition
sentiment
Mrs. Boole Testifies.
Mrs. Ella A. Boole president OF the
Nationai Woman's Christian Temper.
ance Union, told the committee en-
actment of the Collier bill would in
crease munger and incite wrangling
and violence
Representative Treadway tRepubli-
can OF Massachusetts,, recalled that
since the eighteenth amendment was
adopted "a new electorate has arisen
and the women have been given the
right to vote" and asked Bishop Cam
non, Don't you think these new voters
are entitled to vote on it?"
They have a right to demand IL"
the clergyman replied.
Now, bishop" Treadway continued.
where would you put the conscience
OF Congressman as compared with
the will OF his constituents?"
Il am fanatic" Cannon replied. as
LAUGHTER arose from the jammed
audience
Il am not balanced or reasonable.
suppose you have heard that"
Yes" Treadway said, Il have"
would put my conscience before
my constituents Bishop Cannon said
Hear Mills Tomorrow.
Il am glad you say you would put
your conscience before your constituents
but how long do you think you would
retain a seat in Congress If you 20
against your CONSTITUENCIES" Treadway
asked
My conscience is more important to
me than seat in the House of Repre-
sentatives," Cannon replied, as the
crowd applauded loudly.
Other prominent drys who were pres
ent were F. Scott Mcbride, superintend-
ent of the Anti-Saloon League. and
Canon William Sheafe Chase of the
International Reform Federation.
The testimony today followed that
given by score Of woman dry leaders
yesterday, who attacked proposals to
modify the Volstead act, and completed
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