The Washington herald., 1908-03-26


which is attached the Sims amendment
to stop gambling at the Benning race
track. will be reported by the senate
Committee on the District Of Columbia.
with a recommendation that it pass. and
Will be passed by the ss.iate. probably
without dissenting vote.
The fact that the members Of the sen
ate committee favor the bin, probably
without exception. was made apparent
yesterday TO a certainty. The only dan
ger that threatens the bin is delay. owing
TO the possibility that quorum Of the
committee may not be present when the
committee meets tomorrow, when It Is
the intention to place the bill before the
committee for action.
There are twelve members Of the com
mittee, one vacancy having been created
by the death Of Senator Whyte. Of Mary
land Senator NeWlands OF Nevada, Is in
California. ana Senator Martin. OF Viz
sinia, expects to be out Of town to-mor-
row. owing 10 the illness Of his wife. This
left ten members OF the committee sup
posedly available for to-morrow's meet
ing. but news reached Washingt last
night which makes it improbable that
more than eight members OF the commit
tee viii be in the city tomorrow.
Won't Return Until Sunday.
kilograms were received from Col
f3s-,ssafs -.,--- ID, . ---,-- - - Co.
who is with the committee Of Senator's
who went 10 Florida with the body OF
the late Senator Bryan. and from several
OF the Senators who are with the party.
saying that they viii not return to Wash
ing1on before Sunday afternoon Believ-
ing that the Senate VIII not be IN session
I tomorrow or Saturday. the Senators have
decided to visit Miami and inspect the
new line OF railroad which is. being con-
structed from the mainland to the Florida
KEYS, and VIII return to Washington on
Sunday. Senator's Carter. OF Montana.
and Scott. OF West Virginia. both nnam-
berS OF the District Committee. are with
sthis party. so that the available member
ship Of the committee for to-morrow's
meeting is reduced to eight. Senator
Johnston, of Alabama, also a member Of
the committee. was not feeling well last
! night. owing 10 a slight cold. but It IS not
I expected that his indisposition will be
severe enough 10 prevent his going TO the
Capitol
Seven OF the twelve members of the
committee are required to make up a
quorum. so that there Is but a margin
OF one above this number now in the
city Should more than one member ab-
sent himself from the meeting to-mor-
row morning. there could be no action
on the BeHning bill. unless the presence
OF quorum should not be called into
question. It Is believed, however. as a
result Of the assurances received yester.
day. that all the members OF the commit
tee viii be present at the meeting
Burkett Advocate of Bill.
IN addition 70 the chairman OF TIE
committee. Senator GaIlinger. whose at
uJuGe is svowedly IN favor OF stopping
the booi1naking al Benning, it IS now
known that Senator Dillingham;. OF Yer
mont. and Senator Burkett, OF Nebraska
are warm advocates Of the bill now be-
fore The committee, and assurances have
been given by other members thar they
are also in line for II.
Senator Burkett is known 70 be e1thusi-
astically for the bill. and will lend his
influence in the committee. which IS
strong. 10 its favorable consideration.
Senator Dillingham;. the senior member
Of the committee. next 20 the chairman,
also viii exert a strong influence for I'm
mediate action on the bnl.
II is nOt the understanding that the bfi
viii be referred TO a subcommittee for
two reasons. As the anti-gamblinE amend
ment is attached TO a bin TO widen a
thoroughfare. the only subcommittee 20
which II could be properly referred Is
that on Streets and Avenues. and this
committee IS practically depleted OF its
members AT present Senator NewIan6s
Senator Martin. and Senator Carter are
members Of the subcommittee. and their
absence from the city would make II i'm
possible that the bin could be acted upon
before some time next week.
Immediate Action Needed.
II Is realized in the committee that i'm
mediate action is needed. in order that
the practice now disgracing the National
Capital shall be stopped AZ once. In sd-
dition 20 this. the Benning road improve
ment is one the desira bility OF which Is
recognized, and there can not be two
sides 70 the question OF the desirabiIitv
Of the anti-gambing amendment To re-
fer the bin to a subcommittee under
these circumstances. with the absolute
assurance that IT could not be acted upon
by the minor body at once. would be an
indication that the committee entertained
a desire TO delay the passage OF the
amended bin. at least during the continu-
alton OF the present meet at Benning-
a desire which is foreign 20 every mem
Der of the committee
A Senator who IS particularly deslrous
that the bill shall be passed Immediately
and who is taking a large part in the fight
against the gambling evil. said yesterday
that he had sounded the sentiment in the
Senate on the Sims amendment. and that
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