The sun., 1916-12-20
OPTION FOR
D. G. TIED IN SENATE
Senator Underwood's Proposal
to Let the People De-
eide Fails.
OME WILL VOTE ON 1T
Test Vote on Question Taken
in Committee Of the
Whole.

WASHINGTON, Dec. ia proposal Of
Senator Oscar Underwood. Alabama. to
permit the people Of Washington to de-
eide by a referendum vote whether they
would have a dry city or continue as at
present failed to-day by a tie votes
to 3s. Tho proposal was first considered
in the committee Of the whole. The is
sue will come up again tomorrow and
tho outcome Is in doubt. Senator I'm
derwood's proposal was offered as a sub
stitute for the dry bill championed by
Senator Morris Sheppard OF Texas.
Senator Underwood explained to his
colleagues that his reason for asking for
another test OF strength was because Of
the Importance Of the issue and the fact
that the vote had been a tie and that
while his motion had not prevailed the
Senate had not declared against II.
The Sheppard bill has been before the
Senate for nearly two weeks to the ex-
cluson Of other business. II Is being
backed by the Anti-Saloon League and
all Of the prohibition forces Of the
country.
The bill came up last session. but its
sponsors agreed not to press 1t provided
they receive q chance to have a vote at
this session. It has been manifest for
a week that the real test would be the
vote upon the Underwood substitute.
Before the vote was taken to-day sew
eral amendments were offered looking to
the perfection" OF a referendum substi-
tute.
Equal Suffrage wins.
The first vote came on an amendment
by Senator John Sharp Williams, Missis-
sippi. to permit women to vote in the
referendum. It was q very interesting
and significant test Of strength on the
general issue of woman suffrage. Equal
suffrage won by a vote Of nearly 4 to /.
Fifty-four Senators voted in favor OF
permitting the women to vote on the
question Of a dry capital and only
fifteen voted in the negative. Tit fol-
lowing Senators were recorded In the
negative: Observation-Disclosures. Beck
ham, Bryan, Culberson. Fletcher. Hard
wick, James. Martin. MARITIME. Overman.
Swanson and Underwood. Republicans
--Brandegee. Du Pont and Wadsworth.
Among the Southern Senators who
voted to permit the women to partci-
| pate in the referendum were Kirby (the
new senator from Arkansas. Lee.
| man and Williams. Senator Tillman.
who has frequently declared his opposi-
ton to woman suffrage. asked permits
sion to file an explanation OF his vote
later. to appear in the Congressional
Record.
The Senate next turned It's attention
to another amendment by Senator WILL
| Jams prescribing n test OF the qualinca-
tions OF the electors, which was Intended
apparently to exclude the ignorant ne
groes. This test was education and pro-
hibited from voting any one who had
not paid his taxes.
The dry leaders evidently welcomed
the amendment admitting tho women Ia
participation In the referendum. hut they
were suspicious OF Senator Williams's
test for the voters anu most OF the more
ardent OF the "dry'' leaders voted against
il. II was adopted. however. by a vote
Of a to IS. the Southern Senators voting
for II almost to a man and the Republi-
cans with few exceptions voting against
Il.
Other amendments accepted withou,
a vote prescribed n heavy penalty for
repeating, prohibited the use OF money
and generally was a corrupt practices
act applicable to this particular refercn-
dunn also broadening the qualifications
OF voters in the referendum TO permit
persons residing in Washington who
hold citizenship In the States for votins
purposes to vote In the referendum cleo
ton.
The galleries were thronged with rep
r%esentatives Of the prohibition element
80 N~R NhA 1nt0r infAFaQfG
Careful tab was kept or the vote as thu
roll cali proceeded. and II was seen JUS
before the call was completed that tn,
outcome would be very close.
Senators Change Votes.
II appeared to he a tie. but before IN
rec~apituiation was completed Senate
William Alden Smith of Michigan. VIII
had voted against the referendum. dis
covered that he was paired and with
drew his vote. This action would hav
carried the referendum by a majority o
one. A look OF disappointment sprea'
over the features of the dry" Senator
and the "dry' leaders In the galleries
Suddenly Senator Thomas. Democrat
Colorado, rose and his vot
in tho negative. This restored the II
vote. There were no further change
and the result was finally b,
Senator Willard salisbury. who was i
the chair in he absence of Vice-Presi
dent Marshall.
The presiding oficer announced tina
by a tie vote the amendment offered b.
Mr.. Underwood was lost. Several Sen
ators who had been leading the fgh
against the Sheppard bill walked aroun
to Senator Underwood n a hurrie
conference was held. A few minute
later, when II was announced that tn
bill had left the committee Of tn
whole and vas before the Senate.
Senator Underwood announced that h
would reserve his substitute and ask 70