The Sentinel=record., 1916-12-15
SENATE ABOUT DIVIDED
 ON THE NATIONAL ISSUE
Adherents otsthe Cause of Prohibition Declare the Action of the Report of the House Committee Means Prog. ress Far in Advance of What They Had Expected.

Washington, Dec. 14.--Nationwide prohibition took long stride toward congressional consideration today when the house Judiciary committee unexpectedly voted to recommend adoption of the resolution to submit a constitutional amendment forbid ding the manufacture and sale of liquor for beverage purposes in the United States.
 The most enthusiastic champions Of the amendment had not expected ia. yorable action so soon from the com mittee which at the last session voted to postpone it's consideration indefi- nitely.
 How far the resolution will progress through the various legislative stages of congress at this session Is prop lematical, but administration leaders doubt that 1t will reach the senate in time for action at this session. Pro hibition advocates are jubilant over the action of the committee, however, and predict ultimate adoption of tho resolution and reference osx the amendment to the legislaures of the various states at a much earlier date than they heretofore had hoped for. A two-thirds majority in both houses is required.
 Coineident with the committees ac- tion on the amendment, the prohibi- ton issue was brought directly to tho attention of the senate when the Sheppard bill to prohibit the manufac- ture and sale of liquor in the District of Columbia became the unfinished business to be kept before the senate until disposed of. As an amendment to this bill Senator Underwood has proposed a referendum to the male voters of the district. Senator Kern of Indiana has added 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 day or two
 Discussion of the ShepI ard bill as- forded opportunity for comment on the proposed amendment, several sen ators, among them Sheppard -Aarfia- man and Owen, predicting -.e4sffs D for the cause of nationwide prohibAa tion in the near future.
 Hardly anyone doubted tonight that prohibition will be a dominant legis- latlve issue before the new sxty-fifth congress, if the constitutional amend ma ter. In the house before the amend ment can be taken up for considera- ton a special rule must be adogted giving it right of way Representa-. tive Webb, chairman of the iudlciary committee, will ask for such a rule early in January and endeavor ro press the resolution to an early vote.
 Seven members of the judiciary committee voted against reporting the prohibition amendment They were: Gard. Ohio; Dyer and Igoe. Missouri; Graham and Steele, Penn sylvania; Walsh, Massachusetts. and Danforth, New York. Representatives Elza Williams of Illinois and Carlin of Virginia, who were opposed to the resolution at the last session. voted this time to recommend its adoption. President Wilson was urged late to- day by the Rev. Clarence T. Wilson. representing the Methodist conference board, to use his influence with con. gress to prohibit the use of the mails for the sending of liquor advertise. ments by unlicensed liquor dealers An effort is being made to have sueh provision included in the current postoffice bill