Evening Republican, Volume 21, Number 141, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 June 1917 — Wilson Halts Bone Dry Movement. [ARTICLE]

Wilson Halts Bone Dry Movement.

Intervention of President Wilson checked the <> bone diy ?1 - national prohibition movement in congress. Confinement of prohibition legislation to distillery beverages without interference with manufacture of beer and wines, it is generally agreed, wiH result. Prohibition leaders were asked by the president in order to prevent the delay in passing the food control bill, to drop their fight against the manufacture of beer, wines and other light intoxicants. With a formal response from the drys deferred, senate leaders of all factions quickly reached an understanding to limit absolute prohibition ot distilled spirits. President Wilson exchanged letters with the Rev. Dr. James Cannon, chairman of the national AntiSaloon League’s legislative committee, and called senate leaders to the white house in his effort to harmonize differences and smooth the way for final enactment of th food measure. In his letter to Dr. Cannon the president said: “I regard the immediate passage of the bill as of vital consequence to the safety and defense of the nation. Time is of the essence, and yte it has become evident .that heated and protracted debate will delay the passage of the bill indefinitely if the provisions affecting the manufacture of beers and wines are retained and insisted upon. Under these circumstances I have not hesitated to say to the membra of the senate who have been kind enough to consult me that • is would undoubtedly be in the public interest in this very critical matter if the friends of these provisions would consent t otheir elfinination from the present measure. Feeling that your committee is actuated by the same patriotic motives which inspire, me, I am confident that these considerations will seem to you, as they often seem to me, to be imperative.”