Evening star., 1916-12-19
URGESPROH|B|T|ON
ASCHR|STMAS GIFT
Senator Thompson Argues for
the Passage of the Shep-
pard Bill.
REFERENDUM is DEBATED

nCFcnCNUUW 10 OEOHIE
No better Christmas present could be
Given the people of the District by
Congress than the pending prohibition
bill. Senator Thompson of Kansas told
the Senate when discussion of that
measure was resumed
Senator Thompson. after pointing out
that he had introduced a number OF
bills for prohibition in the District
more drastic than the present pending
bill. announced that lie favored the
passage of the Sheppard bill as a de-
cided step in the right direction ana
that he would support it He strongly
defended prohibition. and replied to ar
zuments made against it, citing the e&-
perience of his own state in making and
enforcing prohibitory laws.
Referendum Amendment Up.
The Underwood referendum amend
ment was before the Senate when the
bill was taken up. The constitutional
question involved. as to whether the
Congress has the right to submit a
Of the District for final determination.
has led to much discussion, and 1t
was considered doubtful whether it
would be possible to reach a vote on
the amendment or on the bill today.
Senator Thompson referred to the
work of Carrie Nation, of hatchet fame,
in bringing about the enforcement Of
the prohibition law in Kansas.
Carrie Nation enunciated the propo-
sition that it is not unlawful to adopt
11y yf.r1 Tr1aa fn
lawful practices when she went into
saloons in Kansas and smashed bottles
and other things" said Senator Thomp-
son.
He said the crusade against the liquor
traffic started by Mrs. Nation in Kansas
had resulted in the strict enforcement
of the law there. He secuted the idea
that prohibition would bankrupt a
state. and said Kansas today was one
of the richest states in the Union.
Senator Reed of Missouri engaged in
a oolloquy with Senator Thompson over
the eeconditions resulting from the pro-
hibitoTy law in Kansas. Senator Reed.
recalling some of his experiences in
Kansas after the prohibitory law went
into effect, said that at that time there
were more drunken people to the acre
in Kansas than in any other state in
the Union" He charged that beer and
liquors are openly distributed in Kan
sas City, Kan. today. and that the dis
tribution is not interfered with by the
law.
Not Opposed to Referendum.
Senator Reed declared himself will
ing to let the people OF the District
vote on the question of prohibition.
II the people themselves desire prohibit
tion he had no objection to their having
il, he said. He compared Nebraska,
which has only recently gone dry. with
Kansas. and declared that in spite OF
the fact that Nebraska has permitted
The sale of liquor within her borders
she is in every respect the equal of
Kansas.
Arguments for Referendum.
Senator Underwood completed his ar
gument in favor of his referendum
amendment yesterday afternoon, and
Senator John Sharp Williams of Mis-
sissippi addressed the Senate in favor
Of the referendum and also in favor of
a more drastic prohibition law. making
il crime for any man to take a drink
Of liquor.
In contending that Congress has the
power to refer the prohibition bill to
the people Of the District for vote,
Senator Underwood pointed out that
WAeH IHdI part OF tne original District
lying In Virginia was ceded back to
Virginia Congress passed a law ceding
the territory, but making the operation
OF the law dependent upon !. referen-
dunn to the people affected by the
cession. If Congress was acting within
its rights then, he contended, it would
be acting within its rights now to
frame a prohibition bill and make its
effectiveness dependent upon a vote of
the people of the District.
Query by Senator GalIinger. .
Senator Underwood was asked b,.
Senator Gallinger of New Hampshire
II he would favor referring to the peo-
pie OF the District such questions az
the imposition: Of Z tax on intangible
PERSONA property, enacted into law at
the last session of Congress
4 would. replied Senator Under
good. ."Of course, l do net believe IL
uld be advisable to have Il referen-
yum on every little, trivial matter But
II such matters as prohibition and a
change in the taxing laws imposed
upon the people I believe the people of
the District should have voice.
Senator Underwood criticised the
DrohibirioIiists as fanatics and likeued
them to the men vino In their zeal rnur-
'.ered the iiugucHOts on ST. BarthoIo-
.-1e.vS eve.