VOLSTEAD ACT.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18675, 26 April 1926, Page 9

VOLSTEAD ACT.

"A TERRIBLE MESS." GASES NOW CLOSBD. (bi cun—mn association— ooptbiost.) (IUSTBILIAX AJTD !f.Z CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received April 2oth, 5.6 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 23. Hie < r Wets" and "Drys" have closed their cases before the Senate Committee. Mr Wheeler (Anti-Saloon Leaguo Chief) declared tho investigation disclosed that Prohibition wrought the financial, economic, and moral betterment of the country. He said that what was needed now was legislation to tighten, instead of weaken, the Volstead Act. Mr Julian Cadman, the "Wets' " attorney, ended with a plea for modification. He said that the time had come when Congress must consider the best way to get out of the terrible mess into which this ill-considered legislation had plunged them. They must attempt to correct the evils which those madmen, the Prohibitionists, had brought upon them. Mr Lincoln Andrews testified and amplified his previous statement. He said that he did not advocate any change towards legalising light beer. The Committee agreed that each side should have ten days in which to file written briefs. A TOO-ABSORBING TOPIC. WASHINGTON, April 23. Mayor Devor, of Chicago, again testified before the Senate Committee and criticised some judges who do not believe in Prohibition. He said that in section of the country which do not believe in the law, oven the judges refuse to enforce it. "That is the cafie in certain sections of Chicago. There are wards in which no man can be elected if he favours the Volstead Act." Mr Devor complained that Prohibition was a too absorbing topio and said: "Our attention is engrossed .from morning till night. It is almost impossible to give good government when we are immersed in this question. It takes up too much of our time." Mr Lincoln Andrews, Prohibition Chief, again testified. Ho stated that the satisfactory application of the law could not be fully effective until Congress adopts legislation which he proposed. Mr Andrews claimed that the coastguard made liquor-running unprofitable, and he hoped to make illicit manufacture the same. . EVIDENCE COMPLETED. (REUTXR'S teucoeahs.) (Beceived April 25th, 11.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, April 25. Both sides completed their evidence on Saturday in tho spectacular Prohibition battle, which has marred other activities of the Legislative Branch of the Government for three weeks. The arguments closed with a wide gulf separating the opponents and proponents of Prohibition modification. The sub-committee of the Senate Prohibition Committee now takes the records in hand to do with as it wishes.