SURPRISE MESSAGE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIII, Issue 78, 14 March 1933, Page 5

SURPRISE MESSAGE

BEER LEGISLATION ROOSEVELT’S RECOMMENDATION TO CONGRESS. MODIFICATION OF VOLSTEAD ACT. By Telegraph—Press Association. (Received 14, 11.30 a.m.) Washington, March 13. President Roosevelt, in a surprise special message to Congress to-day, asked for the immediate enactment of beer legislation. In a message of two sentences the President said: “I recommend to Congress the passage of legislation for the immediate modification of the Volstead Act in order to legalise the manufacture and sale of beer and other beverages of such alcoholic content as is pennissable under the Constitution, and to provide through such manufacture and sale by substantial taxes proper and much needed revenue for the Government. I deem action at this time of the highest importance.” The President considers revenue from beer taxes very important to the Budget-balancing programme, the official estimates of tho amount expected running to more than 125,000,000 dollars annually. Apparently his decision to propose the measure at this time was reached when it was realised that the House was standing by' without any business while Senate takes up the Roosevelt economy measure. WILD APPLAUSE. The prospect is that within a few days both branches of Congress will approve the beer legislation. Few members knew that the meS' sage was coming. When the clerk read the first line the House burst into wild applause. Persons in the galleries joined and a few rebel calls were shouted. DEMOCRAT VOTES (Received 14. 2.15 p.m.) Washington, March 13. Senator Robinson, Democrat leader, informed President Roosevelt “we have votes to pass both the economy and beer bills."