Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-05-01
SENATOR Ia TOILETTE
SUCCEEDS IN HOLDING
UP CONSUMPTION BILL
Prepared to Introduce Amend
ment CaIIing:for Referendum
on Army Draft PIan-Debate
Certain to Follow

WASHINGTON April 3O.-Rules of
congress have precipitated tangle that
again throws the CONSUMPTION bill into
a doubtful state.
Forced to vote again on the measure
through one of the most unusual par
liamentary situations in the history of
congress, the senate faces the posi-
bility of further prolonged debate on
the bill before 1t passes.
Democratic leaders, however, will
make determined effort to get action
today and say they are confident OF
success.
Senator La Toilette is the stumbling
block. He is ready, Immediately the
bill comes up, to introduce his amend
ment calling for referendum on con-
scription. 1T will take an hour to read
his amendment and he may devote
hours more to discussion of it.
Senator Gronna also has an amend
ment providing the stopping of grain
distribution to breweries and distiller-
ies-another subject which may take
hours.
STATUS OF BILL.
In other words the bill today is in the
same position it was a week ago, sub
ject to the introduction of all amend
ments which have been introduced and
discussed for hours during the last week
Senator Chamberlain. however, who is
in charge of the bill in the senate is
confident that many amendments pre-
vious1y introduced will not be re-intro-
duced because the vote went against
them before and that whatever amend.
ments are offered will be disposed of
with such dispatch that a vote will be
secured late tonight.
On the other hand, there are some
who think with the oratorical pet cocks
again opened the senate again may de-
vote several days or more to discussion.
There is possibility of the senate bill
being sent to the house for action be-
cause the rule there could be secured
limiting debate and assuring the dis
patch of the bill to conference within
few days. This would spoil IaFol
lette's scheme to precipitate discus
sion of his amendment.
President Wilson and Secretary
Baker today took up differences
army bills The conferees ad-
Justing differences between the two
houses VIII be informed as a result of
where the administration stands on dis
puted points.
AGE LIMITS PREFERRED.
The age limits of twenty-one to TWEEN
ty-seven, fixed in the senate bill, are
preferred by the administration, since
they more nearly approximate the de-
sire of the war department for age
limits~of from nineteen 10 twenty-five
years. The limits from twenty-one to
forty fixed by the house bill are unsat.
isfactory to the administration.
date for the registration of those
liable to service will not be formally
fixed by the president until the bill has
been perfected in both houses
Until that time no campaign will be
undertaken to recruit the regular army
and the national guard up to full war
strength.
The administration food bills were
introduced in the house today by Chair
man Lever. of the agriculture commit
tee. They do not cover price fixing or
control of the use of grains for distilling
liquors. These subjects will be covered
in a bill to be introduced later.
The bills are designed to stimulate
production, prevent boarding, make for
equitable distribution. and suspend the
law prohibiting the mixing of flour.
They contain provisions to prevent con-
hict with the antitrust and interstate
commerce laws