The Washington herald., 1907-12-18
BILLS WILL SLUMBER
Congress Not Yet Ready to
Make District "Dry."
TIME NOT RIPE FOR MEASURE
Consensus of Opinion Among Ma
tion's Lawmakers Is that There Is
ing Present COnditiOns-AdvOca
for Absolute Prohibition Small.

Washington, apparently, Is in no immi-
net danger Of having prohibition thrust
upon it. although Mr.. Sims, a member Of
ths District Committee. has introduced a
bill
The cause has many champions in Con-
gress. as a poll recently made by The
Washington Herald clearly disclosed, but
the existing sentiment does not promise to
crystalline into law-certainly at no early
date
This is the consensus OF opinion among
the leaders of the Senate and the House,
who have hand In all important legisla-
tion. and who are constantly interested
in District affairs. They do not believe
the time IS ripe or will be ripe soon to
take UP this subject. When il is taken
up. most Of the lawmakers think the peo-
PIE Of the District ought to be allowed
TO vote upon it. but even the deslrability
OF such a vote is not seen at this time.
No Ample Reason Exists.
In short the leaders Of the two Houses,
although they do not care TO discuss the
matter for publication, or to become in
yOlyed In agitation. declare there Is no
ample reason for disturbing present con-
ditions.
Even those lawmakers who are in
sympathy with the principle of prohibition
and are committed TO it at home. recog-
nize the necessity forth application Of
that principle does not exist in all COM
munities alike. The number who stand
out for universal prohibition is compara-
lively small
Washington. admittedly. is an orderly
city-the most orderly of its size in the
country, perhaps. There is drinking
here-as veTywhere-members point out.
but drunkenness in the streets is ex-
tremely rare, and the liquor traffic under
excellent control. There is strict OBJ
servance of hours in the conduct of the
trade, with minimum Of violations Of
the Sunday law, and these only by speak
easies. which the police are usually able
- discover. and which. doubtless. would
se in operation even under absolute pro-
hibition.
The Nations Guests Here.
WashingtOn's cosmopolitan character.
and because all the countries Of the world
send representatives here. who in a way.
become the nations guests. also tend.
in the opinion of lawmakers. to erect
obstacles against legislation that might
be judiciously passed and enforced else
where.
Since the assembling OF Congress- the
movement from the South and other
sections. which, it was formerly believed.
was sweeping on toward Washington and
likely 10 make this a dry" Capital. has
been much less in evidence.
Even. the conservative members of the
prohibition class are expecting no early
results OF the agitation here.
one prominent minister. devoted TO the
prohibition work, expressed the opinion
in recent address, that at the present
rate Of progress prohibition might be gem
eral throughout the country in fifty
years He was not sanguine enough to
expect it earlier As to Washington. he
was free to say he was not anticipating
action at an early date.
Prohibition bills after the holidays.
doubtless. will be numerous. but there is
little likelihood that any one Of them Will
be reported out of committee.
General Debate Certain.
II Such measure should come before
the House upon a direct vote. no one
could foreteI the outcome, but any pro-
hibition talk in the House during the
present session is almost sure to be in
general debate and not upon a bill pend
ing for passage.
In the remote emergency that a bill
should get through the House it is a
Congressman who are interested in the
subject, that II would slumber in the Sen
ate and ultimately meet a natural death.
in neither branch of Congress is there q
widespread desire to bring up legislation