The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-07-04
.ClO1URE Will Be
CALLED F06 THURSDAY
II Prospect Is Not Good for Early
Vote on Food Bill Action Will Be
Taken TO Halt Debate.
LIQUOR LOBBY CRITICISED
Senator Mcclellan, OF Tennessee, Tells
OF Great Activity Of wcts to Keep
Nations Demand for Prohibition
From Being Compiled With.

Washington, July 3.-Senators who
want to talk the food control bill to-
death will be gagged" Thursday IL
they persist in their efforts
Senator Chamberlain announced
late today that If no agreement was
reached to vote day after tomorrow,
he would apply for the cloture rule.
Already he has petition signed
by more than twenty-five senators,
and these feel that they can secure
the two-thrds vote necessary to put
the rule into effect in the senate. In
dications are now strong that the bill
with its incidental liquor questions
will be disposed of by Thursday
night.
II stated last night that had a
petition applying for the cloture rule
and might ask for II consideration
today" said Cham berlain just bd-
fore the senate adjourned today. But
as have conferred with number
of senators / think we can reach an
agreement to vate on Thursday. How
ever. if there Is objection to this
when we meet again Thursday shall
move for cloture.'
Two reasons, 1t Is said, have in
duced the administration senators to
make this stand. One is that op-
ponents OF the bill are taking up
long hours in debate.
Senator Chamberlain sought this
morning to reach an agreement to
vote Thursday. But Senator Penrose
objected. saying this was too early
for the steam roller to cut off the
debate.
Il certainly hope the friends of
temperance will not be accused of
oh n dv ;rS.n for
interjected Senator Jones. Of Wash
tngton. with sarcasm. Yesterday Jones
understood Penrose to say it was the
'drys' who were blocking the bill.
Jones denied this heatedly.
SO did Mcclellan. of Tennessee. to-
day. He consumed practically the
entire day in his speech against the
bill which he opposed from many
standpoints.
The majority Of the American
people favor prohibition" he said,
and l don't know Of a bone dry"
senator who is not ready right now to
vote on the question. | don't believe
any prohibition senator has delayed
this bill. This newspaper talk OF such
thing Is Idle; it Is a calumny and
woeful Misrepresentation. The facts
are there never was such lobby In
Washington as there is today. Why
the lobby Of three or four years ago
was mere Sunday School conven-
ton compared TO this. I have no
doubt that many members OF that
lobby are listening now to the sound
OF my voice.
In my Judgment there never was
such a time to get a sober nation as
there was last Friday morning But
an occurrence took place that sent
number of senator's the other way.
1t is doubtful now II the friends OF
prohibition will get their measure
through tomorrow. / believe IT Is
high time to close the saloon. am
going to vote for bone-dry prohibit
tion, the driest l can hnd. I regret
that anything has happened to pre-
vent the realization of the hope of
great God-fearing party. and also
the conservation Of our grain. The
lobby ought not decide these ques-
tons: the senate should decide"
Prohibition is still the outstanding
feature of the bill. despite the many
criticisms aimed at other sections. II
was said today that Senator Robinson.
of Arkausas.A would, offer the amend
ment which would abolish and say
nothing about beer and wine. This
would be a substitute for the Gore
amendment now in the bill. which
would Abolish ana say nothing about
beer and wine. This would be a sub
stitute for the Gore amendment now
in the bill, which abolishes whiskey
and leaves beer and wine to the dis
erection of President Wilson.
Good progress was made with the
main portion of the bill today. 1t Is
expected. however. that new fights will
he made on the ''necessaries." which
include MANY at anles
These are often the great products
OF the states or sections WHICH GER
tain individuals or groups Of sena-
tors represent. The Southerners are
slated for a fight on cotton and II
they are successful it is predicted
that senators from the copper and
lead states will make battle of their
own.
johnson, OF South Dakota, today
offered an amendment substituting
for the bill proposal that the gov
eminent be able to. commander men
and property whenever needed In the
conduct of the war He proposed this
scheme first, while legislation on the
draft bill was going on.
The senate will take holiday to-
morrow.