New-York tribune., 1917-12-18
Measure Goes to Confer
ence-Period for Rati-
hcation Is Only
Difference
Parties Evenly
Divided on Vote
141 Democrats and 1877
Republicans Join In
dependents to
Vote eyes"


wide prohibition won in the House to-
day, and only the adjustment Of q
slight difference in resolutions between
the House and Senate now stands in
the way Of submitting to state legis-
latures an amendment TO the Federal
Constitution forbidding the manufsct-
ure, sale or importation Of intoxicat-
ing liquor for beverage purposes in the
United States or its territories.
The vote in the House, taken after
day of debate before crowded galleries,
was 2s2 to 12s, with the parties divid-
ing almost evenly.
The margin for prohibition was just
eight votes more than the necessary
two-thirds of the membership Of the
House required for adoption and TWEEN
ty-six more than two-thirds Of those
voting.
Bryan Congratulated
Both vets and drys had been predict
ing victory all day, and it was not
until the last few names had been
called that the anti-prohibition forces
conceded their defeat. When Speaker
Clarke announced the result the victors
were Joined by the galleries in such
demonstration as is rarely permitted
in the House. Former Secretary Bryan,
an Interested spectator nearly ALI day
appeared on the floor and Joined in re-
ceiving congratulations with Repre-
sentative Webb, of North Carolina, who
had led the fight.
The resolution adopted by the House
is identical with that passed by the
Senate last August, except that 1t gives
the states seven years instead OF six
in which to ratify the amendment. SEN
ator Sheppard, author of the resoiu-
ton, predicted tonight that the Senate
would accept the amendment tomorrow.
He said he had assurances that tho
seyen-year period would be approved
and that he did not believe roll call
necessary.
The Presidents approval is not re-
quired and the state legislatures may
act as soon as they please after the
signatures of the Vice-President and
Speaker Clark have been attached 70
the resolution.
at will be submitted tomorrow as
n Christmas present TO the American
people, said Senator Sheppard, "ani
believe it will be ratified within
three years"
Every attempt to-day 10 put on
amendments to except light wines and
beer was beaten, and 1il Democrats
stood aligned with 1877 Republicang
and four independents 20 win the final
victory for the Prohibitionist forces.
Prohibition Resolution
Following is the resolution as adopt
ed:
Resolved, by the Senate and
House Of Representatives, That the
following amendment TO the Con-
stitution be, and hereby is. propo7ed
TO the states, TO become valid as
part of the Constitution when rati-
fled by the legislatures of the sew
eral states as provided by the Con-
stitution:
ATtlCic CeCbiOH i. hiltI out
year from the ratification Of this
article, the manufacture, sale or
TRANSPORTATION of intoxicating liquors
within, the importation thereof into.
or the expectation thereof from the
United States and all territory sub
iect 70 the jurisdiction thereof for
beverage purpose is hereby prohib-
tied.
"Section 2-The Congress and the
several states shall have concurrent
power 20 enforce this article by ap-
propriate legislation.
"Section 3-This article shall be
imperative unless IL shall have been
ratified as an amendment 70 the Con-
stitution by the legislatures of the
several states, as provided In the
Constitution. within seven years
from the date Of the submission
hereof to the states b. the Con-
gress."
Webb Begins Debate
The debate was begun, amid round
OF applause from the Democratic side.
by Chairman Webb OF the Judiciary
Committee.
Representative Gard. Of Ohio, lead
ing the opposition, declared the amend
ment proposed an invasion OF. the po-
lice power OF the states and threatened
the unanimity Of the American people
in winning the war. The great body
Of Americans, he contended, want 10
leave the whole matter just as II Is
now.
Representative Cooper. Of Ohio. for
the amendment, told the House:
"You look into a hatbsnd or coat
to see il il bears a union label, but
you can look in vain into the whiskey
bottle for union label"
Representative Dyer, of Missouri.
opposing il, declared the issue nothing
moro or less than whether Congress
shall stand by "Dinwiddie and the
Anti-Saloon League, who think more
OF this issue of the wet and the dry
than they do Of the issue Of whether
America or Germany shall will this
great war"
War Issue Only New Argument
Dozens Of members made short
speeches. going over the familiar
ground on which champions OF both
sides have fought their battles in the
halls Of Congress for many years. Tas