The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1916-12-20
AMENDMENT.
HOUSE MITTEE VOTES TO
REQ ND NATIONWIDE
tOHIBITION.
OpltOm Of Liquor Traffic Jubilant
at success i'm Bringing Prop.
OSii Before House With Favor
an port.

Washington, Dec. 14.-Nationwide
prohibition took a long stride toward
congressional consideration today
when the house judiciary committee
unexpectedly voted to recommend
adoption of the proposed constitu-
tional amendment to forbid the manu-
facture and sale of liquor for bever-
age purposes in the United States.
Even the most enthusiastic champions
of the amendment had not expected
favorable action SO Don from the
committee, which at the last session
voted to postpone its consideration in
definitely.
How far the resolution will pro-
gress through the various legislative
stages IF this congress is problemati-
cal and administration leaders doubt
that it will reach the senate in time
for action at this session. Prohibi-
ton advocates, however, predict ulti-
mate adoption of the resolution and
It's reference to the various State leg
lSlatures at a much earlier date than
they heretofore had hoped for. A
two-thirds majority in both houses
is required.
The prohibition issue also was
hro,pht 6iroctl,, 70 tho o.tnnt;o, az
the senate when the Sheppard bill to
prohibit the manufacture and sale Of
came the unfinished business to be
kept before the senate until disposed
Of. AS an amendment to his bill Sem
ator Underwood has proposed a ref
erendum TO the male voters of the
district. Senator Karn Of Indiana,
has added a proposal that women also
should participate in the referendum.
Sentiment in the senate for and
against the referendum appears to be
closely divided, with a vote on the
subject expected within a day or two.
Discussion Of the Sssppard bill af-
fOrded opportunity for comment on
the proposed amendment, several sem
ators, among them Sheppard, Varda-
man and Owen, predicting triumph
for the cause of nationwide prohibi-
ton in the near future.
Hardly any one doubted tonight
that prohibition will be n dominant
Legislative issue before the new Sixty-
fifth congress if the constitutional
amendment does not reach q vote this
winter. ..t..j
In the house before the amend
ment can be taken up for considera-
ton a special rule must be adopted
giving it a right of way. Representa-
tive Webb, chairman of the judiciary
committee, will ask for such a rule
early in January and endeavor to
press the resolution to an early vote.
Seven members of the judiciary
committee voted against reporting the
prohibition amendment. They were
Gard OF Ohio, Dyer and Igoe of Mis-
souri,, Graham and steele of Pennsyl-
Vania. Walsh of Massachusetts and
panforth of New York. Representa-
tives Ella Williams Of Illinois and
Cariin Of Virginia. who were ppose
TO the resolution at the last session.
voted this time to recommend its
adoption.
President Wilson was urged late to-
day 10y the Rev. Clarence r. Wilson,
representing the Methodist conference
board, 10 use his Influence with con-
Grcss to prohibit the use Of the mails
for the sending of liquor ADVERTISE
mentS 10y unlicensed liquor dealers.
An effort is being made to have such
a provision included in the current
poStOtiiCc bill.