Omaha daily bee., 1917-02-16

Washington, Feb. l5.-The Webb
resolution proposing national pro.
hibtion constitutional amendment
was reported to the house today with
a majority committee report in its
favor and minority report opposing
it. Democratic Leader Kitchin said
it would be taken up in the house
within week. He predicted it would
pass the house by the necessary two
thirds vote, but probably would not
be acted upon in the senate before
adjournment of congress, March 4.
The majority report declared that
inasmuch as more than 90 per cent
of the population of the United States
lives in dry territory it is incumbent
upon congress to submit the question
of national prohibition to the states.
Majority Report.
Leaving out of consideration the
merits of the prohibition policy OF
dealing with the alcoholic liquor traf-
hc," says the report, when more
than half Of the states in the union
have declared in favor of prohibition
when IS per cent OF the territory OF
the United States has outlawed the
saloon and more than 90 per cent
of the population live in such terri
tory; and when approximately 10000
600 of our people residing iii all sec
tons of the union have petitioned
directly for the passage of this resolu-
ton, your committee is of the opin-
ion and feels that it is incumbent on
congress to submit the issue to the
states in the manner requested as
prescribed by the terms OF the con-
stitution itself.
"If it is not desired, thirteen states
of the union can prevent its adoption;
but if, on the other hand, thirty-six
states desire such a change, they
should have the right to make it and
it would appear to your committee
that the question is now one of SUI
hcient importance to be submitted to
them so that they may pass upon it."
The minority report set forth six
objections to the resolution. They
were that ct does not provide date
of submission to all states; it would
not prohibit personal consumption of
liquor; it would interfere with the
police powers of the states; it would
permit the confseation of property
without compensation; the general
governmental effect of national prohi-
bition would be bad; it would raise a
serious revenue question"
Coercion alone will not prohibit
neither will it inculcate temperance"
the minority report continues, for
temperance and, indeed, prohibition,
depend on changes for the better in
habits and conditions which are only
obtained through moral and educa-
tional appreciation"
Signers of the minority report were
Representatives Igoe and Dyer of
Missouri; Graham of Pennsylvania.
Steele of Iowa, Danforth and Dale of
New York and Gard of Ohio.
The Webb amendment would pro-
hibit the manufacturing, transporta-
ton, import and sale of alcoholic
liquor for beverage purposes.
The majority report was signed
only by Representative Carlin, but he
represented Representatives Webb,
North Carolina; Thomas, Kentucky
Taggart, Kansas; William Elsea Viii
liams, Illinois; Whaley, South Caro-
lima; Caraway, Arkansas; Medley,
West Virginia; Walker, Georgia
Volstead, Minnesota; Nelson, Wis
consin; Morgan, Oklahoma; Chand-
Ter, New York, and Walsh, Massachu-
sets.
Four democrats and three repub-
licans signed the minority report;
nine democrats and five republican
names were on the majority report