Opera Politics

"That Title II, Section I, of the National Prohibition act is hereby amended by the addition after the words 'beverage purposes' on line eight of said section, of the following:

"Provided, That from and after the passage of this act any beverage obtained by the alcoholic fermentation of an infusion or decoction of barley, malt, cereals and hops in drinkable water or by the natural fermentation of apple or other fruit, vegetable or herb juices containing not more than 2.75 per centum* of alcohol by volume may be manufactured, sold or transported for sale in original packages for consumption in homes and places other than the place of sale."

This is the text of a bill which 40 Representatives sent to all the other Congressmen, inviting them to sign so that 40 or more identical bills could be introduced in the House on the same day. Ten of the recipients complied immediately so that the bill will be presented by 50 members. Of the 50, 16 are from New York, and all but six are from east of the Mississippi River and north of the Ohio. If the bill is to have 50 supporters, it will lack just 168 votes of a majority in the House.

*As everyone knows, the present act allows 1/2 of 1%. In pre-Prohibition days so-called "real beer" contained from 3% to 7%.