The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-12-11
House District Committee
Agreed on Plan TO Let
Voters Decide.
SMITH OFFERS
AN AMENDMENT
Members Still Divided on Oues-
ton of Qualification
TO Vote.

Members OF the House District Com
fnittee, 1t was learned today, have
reached an agreement that the question
of prohibition IN the District OF Co
lun1bia should be left to the citizens Of
the District for settlement On this
question members of the committee are
unanimous. but they fail to agree as TO
the voting qualifications which should
be imposed.
An amendment to the Sims bill call
ing for absolute prohibition in the
District has been prepared by Rep
Tesentatiye Samuel Smith, chairman
of the Distric. Committee, providing
for a referendum on the liquor Ques-
Iion, and this amendment meets with
the approval of the entire committee.
The amendment is as tollows;
The Amendment.
That the question of the prohibition
of the sale, manufacture, barter, giving
away, or furnishing Intoxicating liquors
by corporations and persons within the
boundaries OF the District OF Columbia,
as provided for in this act, is hereby
referred to the male voters OF the Dis
1rict of Columbia who are over twenty
one years of age and who have been
bona fide residents OF the District for
six months Immediately preceding the
passage and approval or this act by the
President at a special election to be
held for the purpose as herein provided
That the board OF Commissioners OF
the District Of Columbia is hereby ap-
pointed and constituted. eX-OfnCiO.
general board of election to carry into
effect the provisions of this act, and
are authorized to fix a date for holding
the said special election not later than
thirty DAYS after the passage and ap-
thereof in all OF the daily newspa-
pers OF general circulation published in
the District of Columbia, and 10 estab-
lsh suitable and convenient polling
places for the purpose of receiving the
ballots OF the voters; to appoint board
for each polling place, consisting OF
three persons, one 10 be known as IN
spector and the other two as clerks.
who. before entering upon the discharge
Of their duties shall take an oath for
the faithful discharge OF their duties;
said board shall be the judges OF the
qualification Of voters the clerks shall,
each keep a poll list OF the names OF
all persons voting. and the ballots shall
be received by the Inspector IN the pres
ence of the board and placed in a ballot
box TO be kept for that purpose.
Hours for Voting.
The polls shall be kept open from
2 a m. until . p. m, and after the close
thereof, the board shall Immediately
count the ballots cast and tally the
same upon two sheets, one 10 be used
by each clerk; after the ballots Eaye
Oeen counted ana IdAllEQf lIab talQ DOH
lists and tally sheets shall be sealed
securely in a package and kept by the
inspector in his possession, to be opened
at a meeting with all Of the said in
spectors, in the presence of the
Board OF Commissioners, in a day
and place 20 be fixed by the Commis-
sioners, not exceeding FIVE days after
the holding OF said election, and when
the election returns, as reported by
said inspectors, shall be canvessed the
result shall be at once reported by said
Board OF Commissioners. 10 the Presi-
deEt of the United States, the Senate.
and the Speaker of the House OF
Representatives for further legislation,
If necessary, in accordance with the will
OF the people"
Members Differ.
No provision is made for the quail
fication Of voters, because Of the pres
ent differences Of opinion among the
committee members, and Mr.. Smith is
OF the opinion that such a provision
will have TO receive consideration at
the hands of the whole committee.
It Is probable that the liquor question
may come before the House today in
the shape OF the bill introduced in the
Senate earlier in the week providing for
the enlargement Of the license zones
and a heavier license tax This message
IS opposed by many OF the liquor dealers
in the District
Among the letters received by Mr..
Smith today was one from William H
Anderson, acting legislative superin-
tendent Of the Anti-SaloOn League Of
America declaring that his organiza-
ton favors local option, and is not
insistent at this time on absolute pro-
hibition. Mr.. Anderson writes:
The AntiSalObn League Is not ask
ing Tor prohibition for the District The
league is a practical organization for
securing results 1t aims TO 20 no far.
ther and no faster than A normal pub
lie viii sustain Believing the demon
stration and developments of such sen
timent. until legislation allowing the
people of the District to close Saloons
in their respective localities, is wiser
than premature Congressional enact
ment OF absolute prohibition, the Anti.
Saloon League nationally and in the
District is asking at this time for a
reasonable local option, or home rule
measure"