Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-02-23
DISTRICT DRY FIGHT
IN LAST DITCH STAGE
House Rules Committee This
Afternoon to Decide Whether
to Force Action.
TWO HEARINGS ON TODAY

Congress today witnessed the unusual
| spectacle of the District dry fight being
waged in the last ditch before two COM
| mittees Of the House simultaneously. AS
q result. it is almost certain that unless
the House District committee shall make
| report to the House on the Barfley-
Sheppard bill this afternoon, a final ef-
Tort to report out special gag rule TO
force the measure through the House will
be made by the rules committee. A hear
ing before that committee this morning
brought forth the fact that Representa-
tive Barllley himself will not oppose a
vote in the House on the proposed referen-
dunn, but he urgently advised against a
referendum. as in his opinion il is piece
of dilatory tactics.
Tactics of the "Wets."
The vets" have practically decided upon
an endeavor to have the bill reported to
the House with bone dry amendment.
as we'll as a paragraph providing a refer
endum.
This may not occur, but it was the
plan adopted early in the day. They
Hgure that their only chance to save
the District from a dry law is to make
1t utterly impossible to take a drink
or TO use alcohol in any personal form
whatsoever.
While the rules committee vas hearing
a ninety-Hfnute argument for and
against a observation-disclosures the
subject at issue was in reality a special
rule to authorize immediate considera-
ton of the Barkley-Sheppard bill-.he
District committee was granting a last
day TO the general discussion of the sub
1ect. While the rules committee was in
session, word was brought to the COM
mittee by Representative Cantrill of
Kentucky that the District committee
would meet at o'clock and probably
make a report on the bill
Postpone Action Until 4 PM.
With this knowledge in their possess
sion, after a short executive session. the
members OF the rules committee decided
to wait until 4 o'clock before conferring
again on the subject of the special rule
No one can forecast what the action
this afternoon will be, but it is possible
that If the District committee cannct
come to an agreement. and fails to re-
port bill. the rules committee will
report rule whereby the District dry
bill will be taken up. with three hours
for debate and with plenty of chances
for amendment. but that the debate shall
emo on IBe Dill ana suggested amend
ments promptly at the and OF thrse
Analysis Of Arguments.
In brief the Undergraduate. argument
before the House rules committee was
nothing more than a charge by the
drys that the District committee had
delayed action on the liquor matter,
and a plea by the referendum associa-
ton of the District that the question
be framed so that the District be al
lowed to vote on 1t.
For the first time it was stated OPEN
ly right out in meeting that the Dis
trict committee is SO constituted as to
kill a really dry bill, and that the ac-
tions Of the committee in this session.
that of studied dilatory tactics. Rep
resentative Barkley of Kentucky.
author of the House dry bill, made
these statements to the rules commit
tee.
Representative Barkley also told the
rules committee that in his opinion
Congress has no right to order a ref
erendum on the liquor question, or any
thing else. but that Congress has the
entire right to legislate for the Dis
trict. In response to questions, Repre-
sentative Barkley said when it comes
to a question of giving the House a
chance to vote on his bill with a refer
enduLn amendment as opposed to no
chance to vote on the bill at all, he
would not oppose referendum.
Doubts Constitutionality,
ative Barkley:
DO you believe the Underwood
amendment offered to the Sheppard bill
! in the Senate is constitutionalr
NO." replied Representative Barkley:
"I believe it to be unconstitutional"
He then outlined the history of his
| bill before the House District commit
| tee, saying he believed he was justified
| IN asking for a special rule when he
found the committee reopening the
hearings, with the chance of prevent
| ing a vote on the bill at this session.
! "Why. my friends on the District
committee" said Representative Bark
| ley, both vets and drys, told m.
| frankly 1t was the purpose of the com
mittee not to have a vote on the meas
| ure. and that there would be no vote
unless the rules committee reported out
rule"
Representative Henry asked him:
Have either of the great political
parties expressed themselves on this
matter?"
I'm some Of the states they have"
| We'll. don't you think this matte,
| should be left to the whole country. Sc
that the people should decide what the,
wish to do in regard to their capital?'
I II believe the Congress of the United
States" answered the Kentuckian. "ha,
sense enough to iegisiate or some mat
ters which have not been touched b,
political parties"
Urges Chance to Vote.
/ Representative McCracken of Idaho
4 dry" from dry state. argued briefly
that the House be given the opportu
nifty to vote on the question.
| T.. c. Dinwiddie of the Anti-Saloor
Continued on Second Iage)