The Washington times., 1917-12-18

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speech on prohibition yesterday, the
House terminated its severe suffer
ing Of the day by voting, 2S2 to 12S,
to submit to the States Joint Reso-
luton, House Calendar No. 20, S. ].
Res. II (Report No. 21D," being the
Constitutional Amendment to reduce
the United States throughout to the
aridity Of Sahara. or in other words,
to complete "bone-dryness."
On slight differences created by
amendment, the joint resolution
now goes to the Senate for confer
ence. 1t is understood that on the
refusal Of unanimous consent for i'm
mediate concurrence by the Senate,
it will go over until after the holi-
days. But as far as submission to
the States is concerned, nothing is
now left to chance" Submission
mot adoption) Is as certain now as
poker and politics are said to be In
Kentucky-at times.
The rest is still ain the air" very
much SO, though Mr., William j.
Bryan, after hearing the vote an
nounced, and the shout which fol-
lowed it, concluded that nothing now
remains except for the national con-
ventions of both parties to concur in
certainty as he feels il. 1t does not
exaggerate Mr.. Bryan's satisfaction
to say that his face and lofty fore
head beamed. The happiness he felt
in his Paramount Issue" left on all
around him the impression that 1t
was the greatest moment Of his life.
He had not been able, at the time, to
analyze the vote territorially, or to
decide where the "Enemy's Country"
will be located, but as Democratic
Leader Kitchen and Uncle" Joe
Cannon of Illinois voted AYE" to-
gether, there was no need for arith-
metic to show that party lines were
completely down and that the House
was fully aware Of an emergency to
be met across, over, and under the
lines of both parties in next No
vember's election. That is what at
least forty Of the 1fty-four speeches
really meant.
Before the roll call on the resolu-
lions the House voted down by 232
to 107 the amendment by Mr.. Lea Of
California, exempting light wines
and beer, and the Steele amendment
allowing any State to change its vote
prior to the final vote by all the
States.
From opening to close, the gal
leries were packed with ladies, and
applause for dry arguments was fire.
quent, against the Speakers protest.
Finally he announced that he would
put them out" If IT was not stopped.
This was not supposed to be directed
against the ladies, but they stopped.
The Senate Judiciary Committee
yesterday authorized Senator Bran
dagee to report an amendment to his
joint resolution SO as to allow eight
instead of six years for ratification
of constitutional amendments, and
permitting the ratification by direct
vote.
The regular order in the Senate
yesterday was the continued discus
sion of the oil and mineral land leas-
ing bill. Senator Shafroth of Colo
RADIO, who has been opposed to all
leasing as certain to incur failure,
said that as the bill now represented
the alternative of lease or sale, he
would not obstruct its passage. The
discussion for the day was chiefly
on the naval reserve oil reservations
and private claims in them, includ-
ing those of the Standard Oil Com
pany. The great question was dis
cussed with seats almost empty.
General Crozier, chief of ordnance,
who was on the stand yesterday be-
fore the Senate Committee on Mill
tary Affairs, continued to give it
educational details, as called for. He
supplied, without hesitation, every
thing anyone wished to know about
any variety of ordnance for shooting,
exploding, or otherwise asserting our
determination TO enforce peace with
victory. As for delay, real or al
legged, in getting them all co-ordi-
mated, unified, and in action, his ex-
plantations were all condensed into
too much red tape" 1.-THE Gordian
knot no one could unite is supposed
to be a metaphor for red tape. |
Alexander began TO be called "The |