Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-12-11
SAYS LET PEOPLE DECIDE
Chairman Smith Prepares Amend
ment to Sims Bill.
PROVIDES A SPECIAL ELECTION
Omits Reference to Qualification OF
Those to Cast Ballot-Anti-
Saloon League Letter.


District of Columbia to a vote of the
citizens of the municipality. This infor-
nation was secured today. on authority,
at headquarters Of the committee.
The only disagreement among the men,
bers of that body is with reference to the
suffrage qualification to be imposed on
those who are permitted to vote on the
burning question of whether the National
capital shall be wet or dry.
Representative Smith of Michigan.
chairman Of the committee, has prepared
an amendment to the Sims bill for abso-
lutte prohibition in the District, or to any
other bill for the same purpose which
may be taken up by the committee. pro-
viding foc a, referendum on the liquor
question.
Text of Proposed Amendment.
The proposed amendment follows:
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 re-
ferred to the male voters Of the District
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 pas
sage and approval Of 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 ofhcio, gen
eral board Of election to carry into ef-
ocf 10 rnNYics sa/
authorized to fix a date for holding the
said special election not later than thirty
days after the passage and approval OF
this act. and give notice thereof In all
Of the daily newspapers of general circu-
lation published in the District OF Co
lumbia. and to establish suitable and con-
venient polling places for the purpose of
receiving the ballots of the voters; to ap-
point hoard for each polling place. con-
sisting OF three persons, one to be known
who. before entering upon the discharge
Of their dut!ts. shall take an oath for the
faithful discharge OF their duties: said
board shall be the judges of the qualif1ca-
ton OF voters; the clerks shall each keep
poll list of the names Of all persons
voting and the ballots shall be received
by the inspector in the presence of the
board and placed in a ballot box to be
kept for that purpose.
Counting the Ballots.
''rhe polls shall be kept open from 9
O'Clock am until o'clock pm. and afte,
the close thereof the board shall imme-
diately count the ballots cast and tally
the same upon two sheets, one to be used
by each clerk: after the ballots have been
counted and tailed. the said poll lists and
tally sheets shall be sealed securely in a
package and kept by the inspector in his
no To ha af /,
all of the said inspectors. in the presence
Of the board of Commissioners. on a day
ani place to be fixed by the Commission
ers. not exceeding five days after the
holding of said election. and when the
election returns. as reported by said in
spectors. shall be canvassed. the result
shall be at once reported by said board
of Commissioners to the President Of the
United States Senate and the Speaker OF
the House Of Representatives, for further
legislation, if necessary. in accordance
with the will of the people"
The amendment also describes the form
of ballot to be used
Qualification of Voters.
Mr.. Smith has purposely omitted any
reference to the qualification of voters,
save that of being more than twenty-one
years of age, believing that in view of
the conflicting opinions of members of the
District committee on the subject IL
would be better to leave the question open
to be settled by the full committee at a
regular session, the result to be incor-
porated part of the amendment.
Mr.. Smith is also very much pleased as
the result of a letter received by him this
morning from William II. Anderson, act
ing legislative superintendent of the Anti
Saloon League of America, who has OPEN
ed headquarters in the Bliss building.
What Anti-Saloon League Wants.
In his letter Mr.. Anderson says in part !:
The Anti-Saloon League is not asking
for prohibition for the District. The
league is a practical organization for Sc
curing results It aims to go no farther
and no faster than a normal public senti-
ment will sustain. Believing the demon
stration and development of such senti-
ment under legislation allowing the peo-
pic of the District to close saloons in
their respective localities is wiser than
premature congressional enactment of alb
so ute prohibition. the Anti-Saloon League
nationally and in the District. Il asking
at this time for reasonable local option
or home rule mea sure"
incidentally Mr.. Smith expects to in
trOduce today the Commissioners bill
sent to the Senate earlier in the week
providing for an enlargement of the Ii
cense zones and an increase of the license
tax. This measure is regarded by a por-
ton at least of the LIQUOR interests as a