The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1915-01-15
WANT FERRIS TO
DECLARE SELF
! ON BOOZE TRADE
Senator Odell Seeks to Force the
Governor Out in Open on Pro-
hibition Question
DRYS WIN FIRST TEST
OF SENATE STRENGTH
Attempt To Table Motion Ask.
ing Expression From Chief
Executive Is Failure
Page TWO
From a staff Correspondent.


z LANSING, Mich, Jan. l5.-Seyeral
members of the upper house--and
Senator Samuel Odel of Shelby, In
particular--want 10 know Just where
Gov. Ferris stands in regard 10 liquor
legislation.
Unable TO find out by other means,
Senator Odell today introduced reso-
luton in the senate, asking that the
governor be requested TO appear De
fore that body TO outline his views.
In supporting this move, Senator
Odell declared that he had received
many letters from his constituents de-
handing certain advanced liquor leg.
\ islation, and, in addition 10 that,
Lieut. Gov. Loren ID. Dickinson had,
In no uncertain terms, voiced the
need of more stringent regulation OF
the booze trade. In view or these
facts, taken in connection With the
governors silence on this topic in his
message 10 the legislature. Senator
Odell said he wanted 10 get first-hand
y Information as TO the views held by
the executive head of the state gov
eminent.
Senator Murtha, one OF the senate
'.wets," moved that the resolution be
tabled. yea and nay vote was de-
manded and Senator Murthas motion
was defeated by count Of 10 TO II.
An acrimonious debate followed. in
which Senators Wood and Murtha at
tempted TO defend the governors ST.
lence on the liquor question, and Sen
\ ator Odell as insistently demanded
that first-hand information be given
A by the executive himself II was
terminated for the present when Sen
ator Damon, himself one of the strong.
est "drys" in the upper house, moved
n that the resolution be referred to the
\ LIQUOR committee. Senators Straight,
Damon and Foster, who comprise this
Eody, will undoubtedly report Il ont
when the senate convenes again. ard
thus force the matter 10 vote
The vote on the motion to table THO
resolutionthe first real test of wet
and dry strength In the senate =
while not entirely conclusive. was n
source OF rejoicing TO the dry mem
hers who contend that they have ac-
\ quired an idea OF the probable lineup
on questions of greater moment.
The vote on the motion 10 side
!. track the resolution was as follows
Yeas-Senators Fitzgibbon. GROCER
y Hanley, McPhillips. Murtha, Ogg
< Paul. Roberts, Scott. Taylor, Williams,
and Wood--12.
Nays--Senators Barnes, Corliss.
y Covert, Damon, DeLand, Hofma, Kei.
ley, Morford Odefl, Planck, Powell,
Smith, Straight, Trip, Verdier, Wal
ter. Woodwork, Foster, and Gansser
liz.
Asked why be had taken pains to
end the cont=oversyto put the govern.
or on record by moving that the mat
ter be referred to committee.
Senator Damon said that he had done
so 'in the interests OF peace and to
allow time for more mature consid-
Grafton Of the matter"
II thought 1t would be we'll to let
II remain with the committee a few
days SO that, when it IS reported out,
everyone will have had time TO give
the matter careful consideration" said
Senator Damon.
II have my doubts as to whether
he will comply with the request II II
In made" he continued "He NAV
stand on his ofhcial rights and refuse
4 10 recognize the senate's request No.
body seems TO know just where he
stands now--he was mighty mum
about IL during the campaign and he
hadn't made any, statement since
and ] don't believe he is very anxious
to tell us"
Gov. Ferris. when asked whether he
would outline his position TO the sen
ate IL requested TO do so, failed TO
make any definite answer, declaring
that anything Of that sort was lab.
! snrd;;" that everybody knew his
Views on such matters" and that he
had campaigned for local option in
Necosta county TO protect "his boys"
He admitted, however, that he did
not consider the time ripe for state
wide prohibition.
BALLENGER.