Evening star., 1933-03-21
HOUSE VOTES BEER
BILL, BUT SENATE
DELAYS SIGNATURE
Continued From First PAGE

continued From First Page)
result in the loss Of many lives In
automobile accidents
Blanton read letter from a man
describing himself as a former bar
tender in East st. Louis. Ill, now liv-
ing In Arizona. The letter said that
II the beer bill were passed it would
give work to more people. but added
these extra workers would be police
men, bartenderS and morticianS
Representative O'Connor, Democrat,
OF New York. interrupted. asking Does
the gentleman give the address of his
present SpeakeaSy?"
Representative Blanton, who had said
his correspondent was now a teetotaler,
said that since prohibition he has had
nothing to do with SpeakeaSieS The
name Of Bishop James Cannon, jr., was
brought into the discussion.
Cause Would Go On.
Bishop Cannon and the Anti-Sa-
loon League are no more to the pro-
hibition cause than is Fred Britten,"
Blanton said
This brought great shout Of laugh
ter as Representative Britten, Repub-
lican, OF Illinois. is an ardent wet
Il object" said Britten, TO having
my name coupled with Bishop Cannon. :"
Blanton insisted that prohibition was
deep-rooted in American fatherhood
and motherhood and that it would
make no difference If Bishop Cannon
and all the AntiSaloon League leaders
died today. the cause would go on.
Representative Cullen of New York
assistant Democratic leader who was
in charge Of the beer bill, moved the
previous question on the conference
report as soon as Blanton had con-
cluded, and the report was adopted
The measure. estimated to bring in
Federal revenue through a levy Of
SIS a barrel liberalizes the Volstead
law. passed by Congress in October,
1919. over President Wilson's veto.
to exempt beer. ale. porter. stout and
other malt beverages and wine. which
do not contain more than 81 per cent
alcohol by weight.
Paving the way for the measure,
Senate and House conferees yesterday
adjusted the differences between the
two branches by retaining the 80
per cent alcoholic content as approved
by the House and rejecting the sos
per cent limitation adopted by the
Senate They also agreed to the Senate
80
cent, but struck out an amendment by
Senator Borah. Republican. Of Idaho,
which would have prevented sale to
those under 16.
Senate Accepts Bill
Within two hours after the agree
ment. the Senate adopted the COM
promise Borah and Senator Shep-
pard, Democrat, Of Texas, co-author Of
the eighteenth amendment, both as
sailed the measures constitutionality
before it was approved.
Borah read recent statements by
brewers that the bill would permit beer
as good and as strong as the foamy
brew Of prohibition days. He
aimed his fire particularly at the action
of conferees in eliminating his amend
ment to prevent sale or gift Of the
beverages to children under 16.
He contended the amendment was
eliminated to prevent an admission that
80 per cent beer was intoxicating. but
asserted another provision Of the meas
ure-forbidding importation Of the
beverages into dry States-contained
the same admission.
Three Switch Votes.
Three Senators who voted for the
AiodoulC ioSG AAiul odoy WACA ~ pTO-
vided for sos per cent alcohol, switched
yesterday and voted against the re-
vlsed measure. They were Senators
Black. Democrat. Of Alabama: Norris
Republican, Of Nebraska, and Fletcher
Democrat, Of Florida
Senate Republicans combined with
80 Democrats. however, to adopt the
conference report, with 19 Democrats
and II Republicans opposed
After the Senate action. Representa-
tive SABBATH, Democrat, of Illinois said
he would Introduce joint resolution
today requesting the President to par
don all individuals who have been con-
victed and are now serving Jail SEN
tenceS for selling or manufacturing
beer.
He said under his resolution the At
torney General would be instructed to
nolle PROSE- all indictments against
beer manufacturers or sellers.
Il do not believe" he said, that it
is just for us to continue prosecuting
people who have been indicted or to
insist that people remain in Jail for
manufacturing or selling beer when
Congress has declared that beer is nom
intoxicating and the manufacture and
sale Of it does not violate the Volstead
act"
Two somewhat similar bills have
been introduced in the House.
In addition, Representative Dirksen,
Republican, Of Illinois has requested
the Attorney General to lift all In
functions against places closed for sell
ing beer.