The Washington herald., 1917-09-29
UNDER THE DOME
ny THE oDsERvrn.

ny THE OBSERVER.
II Billy Sunday doesn't come here
too soon and interfere, Congress may
try some experiments in the District
which viii solve the liquor question
for its members at first hand.
There are numerous proposals be-
ing made in Congress Just now, in
TACT, but none of them has taken
definite FORM With the approach of
the dry date, however. there are two
proposals which seem to prevail most
often in the discussions.
One Is to formulate and pass q law
which VIII permit the voters Of the
District to say themselves whether
the District shall be wet or dry.
The other Is to repeal the dry law
which becomes effective on November
!, and pass a moderate liquor license
law. The sale of only beer and light
wines would be permitted under this
law, and daylight hours-probably
from seven in the morning to seven in
the eveninS-would be observed with
the utmost rigldity.
1t is suspected that both proposals
would be fought by the Anti-saloon
league, and by other dry organizations
WIN IL lIOIn liIHt
to time In the waging of dry battles.
At least. the wet leaders feel that
the dry influences throughout would
be against them. Some OF them are
conhdent, however. that not all OF
tbs dry workers in Congress would
pc averse to either of the proposals.
They are even confident enough to
believe that at least few of the dry
Congressman would be willing to see
the beer and light-wine idea given
practical trial. where they could
watch results and at such range that
there could be no general dispute as
to what those results were.
The passage of a law allowing the
District residents to settle their own
fate would limit the character Of the
saloons to be opened up under il. of
course. and besides prohibiting the
sale Of liquor such a measure would
be expected to provide a much shorter
period of time in which the weary
and forlorn travellers and townfolk
could quench their thirst.
MIR. BurIeson's Power.
Mr.. Burleson. who administers the
affairs Of the Postoffice Department,
said something when he denoted yes
the ng-with-the-enemy act is to
be used with the utmost discretion.
OF course he will do so. II he does
not, say a number of the Congress
sional leaders, he will be shorn OF
the power without delay. He is u
be given a trial. and if he uses the
power justly and with great care he
will be allowed to keep IL. But ifl
he doesn't, then he will be deprived
of 1t they say on the Hill.
Friends of the censorship steps |
which the administration made an at /
tempt TO get Incorporated into the es-
pionaSe bill say that their expecta-
tions, SO far as getting stronger pro-
visions into subsequent legislation.
were much more than exceeded. Theyj
didn't expect to he so literally treated
by Congress. 1t came as a DISTINCT
surprise to many of them that Con-
gress would refuse TO enact the for
mer provisions and then would. with
out great opposition, hand more revo-
lutnnary powers to Mr.. Burleson on
a platter.
The Coal Question.
Congress doesn't intend to let the
homefolks SILVER during the coming
winter. Votes are hard TO get out
OF shivering constituents, and there
are few members who want to face |
the embarrassment, next fall, of seek
ing votes where the gooseficsh stood
The highest during the cold weather.
With this in mind there is a strong
likelihood that a Congressional COM
nittee will be suggested to study the /
,oal situation during the time inter-
Sening between the conclusion OF the
present session and the commence
nent of the next
Congressman who have the matter
On their minds do not want to embar-
-ass DR.. Garfield. They want to help 4
hin IL they can. Moreover. they want
o show their deep interest in the coal
situation by supplemcnting his ef- A
forts to stave OF a coal famine this
winter.
There are a few salient points about
he coal situation which the Congress-
men believe can be obtained without
great difficulty. and which once OBJ
aimed will throw enough illumination
on the situation to permit of a solu-
ion of any problem that may then
Je presented.
They want to know first Just how
nuch coal there Is in sight already !!
mined, and they want to know what
the normal consumption is in the coun-
ny. Then they want to know what A
he capacity production of each mine 4
5 and how many mines there are that I
an be operated during the next seven A
months. In addition
hey want TO learn how many mines u
,an be operated at full capacity, and 4
now many mines must obtain addi-
ional help and to what extent this
additional help must be procured.
With this information. they think, 4
hey can so about it to settle the ques-
.ion-at least they will be in a fair
way TO face their frigid constituents
With more grace than as If they made
no attempt whatever 10 help DIR. Gar
ield with his big problem.