The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-12-17
By Vote of "a to 80 Refuses
to Displace Measure in Fa-
vor of Pension Bill
MARITIME BLOCKS MOVE
FOR VOTE ON MONDAY
Interesting Discussion Deve.
ops Strong Sentiment for Dry
Capi.al-Fight of "Drys" ID
On Underwood Plan

Especial to The Richmond virginan.)
Washington, d. c., Dec. 1s.-Pro.
htbition continued to be the sub.
ject of special interest in Congress
today. 1t Is evident that the Senate
has definitely decided to pass a pro.
hibition bill for the District OF Co.
lumbia, without unnecessary delay.
Senator Townsend. of Michigan,
endeavored to get the Senate to con.
slider the bill for increase Of pensions
for army officers, which by the ruling
of the vice-preAdent became the UNI
finished business when r. NJ. was
reached.
Senator Townsend urged the Senate
to consider the army bill, saying that
1t was recognized generally that the
Sheppard bill would certainly be voted
upon. whereas the pension bill would
lose its place, and might not regain
it. He and Senator Smith. OF Michi-
gan. both declared their purpose to
vote for the Sheppard bill. but wanted
to secure the passage OF both bills.
Senator Sheppard however moved
to make the prohibition bill the un-
finished business and on a roll-call
the Senate voted - to 80 in favor OF
Senator Sheppard's motion. although
number of dry Senator'S voted to
take up the army bill.
The debate today was on the amend
ment of Senator Smoot, of Utah. who
what Is in substance the
Idaho prohibition law. 1t Is not clear
just what Senator Smoot expects to
gain by Introducing his amendment.
No one expects 1t to be adopted and
the debate consumes time. The lead
ing dry Senators are opposed to II,
on the ground that 1t cannot be
passed. and 1t may be used to prevent
the passage of anv bill ut all.
Fight on Rcferendum.
The main night will come on the
referendum. and tho Anti saloon
League workers are putting forward
every EFFORT to defeat the amendment
OF Senator Underwood on that point.
Senator Underwood was invited BY
Senator Sheppard to proceed with the
discussion OF that question today. but
owing to the lateness Of the hour the
Alabama Senator asked to delay until
Monday. at which time tho vote will
be taken on the Smoot amendment,
and then the discussion will come on
the amendment OF Senator Kern. CIV
ing women the right to vote in the
election, and then the Underwood
amendment
May Not Reach Vote Monday.
When seen today. DR.. Cannon.
chairman OF the Anti-6aloon League
Legislative Committee. stated that II
was doubtful whether a vote would be
reached on Monday. He was hope.
full that the Underwood referendum
proposition would be defeated by the
Senate, but II it should pass In the
Senate. II was believed that It would
be defeated in the House. He said
the Virginia Senators were standing
for the sheppard bill and were strongly
opposed to the Underwood amend
ment.
Vote Agreement Blocked.
At the beginning Of the debate
Senator Sheppard sought to obtain
unanimous consent Of the Senate to
nx Monday as the day upon which Z
nnal vote on the bill should be taken.
but Senator MARITIME, OF New Jersey.
objected.
Senator Smoot. Of Utah. then moved
to strike out all after the enacting
| clause of the Sheppard bill and to
| substitute his bill. which would pro-
vide for absolute prohibition in the
District and prohibit the importation
or alcoholic beverages FOR personal
use.
Copy Of Idaho Law.
Senator Smoot explained that his
substitute measure was In effect the
Idaho prohibition law made -.
~ "a
This II Z real prohibition meas
ure." said Senator Smoot. Il do mot
| think the bill now before the Senate
is q real prohibition bill. will say,
however. that will support It, even
II my substitute IL defeated. Under
| the Sheppard bill the 100000 negroes
in the District can send out Of the
District and get a. much liquor a.
they desire-a gallon or Ave gallons.
II they wish-and drink A. much ~
they want"
Senator Gallinger. Of New Hamp-
shire. interrupted to say that under
the proposed law white men can do
| the same.
Senator Sutherland's Comment
| Senator Sutherland pointed out that
| the Smoot substitute bill made II 3
crime for q man to have liquor In his
residence in the District, and that II
he was convicted second time Of this
offsnse he would b held guilty OF 8
! felony and subjected to q penalty a.
from one to three years In prison.
He asked how the law had worked
| in Idaho In this connection. a
Senator Borah pointed out that the
law had been very successful, ard
that this provision Of II had been de-
signed to roach bootleggers. Senator
! Sutherland suggsstsd that sometimes
laws wsre made 90 stringent that they
defeated their own object
Senator Lodge inquired what woaA
happen II I man were found to haSa
liquor In his house. and 0enAk0R
0mooe replied that ne would b. h4lA
guilty under the law. saI
Suppose . servant should hgem4
liquor into the house Of his employe4
and Il should b found there: yN0)4
the housshelder ~ guiity under IT,
law?" asked Senator Hrandegoe
Connecticut u & Z