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BACK FLORIDA SHIP CANAL WASHINGTON, D. C, May 2.— Proponents of the pending bill to authorize completion of the Florida ship canal, claimed forty-six votes in the senate today and staged a last-minute drive to win the necessary additional votes for a majority. Senator Pepper D Florida, handling the measure, predicted its passage when it is brought to a vote within the next few days. The bill came to the senate from the senate commerce committee without recommendation for passage or rejection. Pepper succeeded in having the ! committee submit a no-prejudice report after j he failed to win a committee majority for a favorable report. Senator Vandenberg R Michigan, is leading the opposition. Most of the republicans and some of the democrats are expected to vote with him. Despite the claims of Pepper and other proponents, leaders on both sides of the senate predicted defeat of the measure by a safe margin.
