Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-03-01
BATTLE
SHIP OF
FUTURE
Fully Equipped for War But
May Never Fire a Shot

ever be prepared for war, but never
nre a shot" In this pithy toast,
Representative George e. Foss, of
Illinois, chairman of the house COM
mittee on naval affairs, at the ban
quet of the naval league of the United
states, summed up the sentiments of
President Roosevelt which we're
voiced at the White House earlies
In the day. The delegates to the
league called on Mr.. Roosevelt and
listened to a short but powerful ad-
dress, in which the President urged
them to continue the agitation for
greater appropriations for the naval
establishment. Mr. Roosevelt showed
his interest in the league by saying:
Now, want all of you in your
respective homes, through the organs
OF public opinion, by your influence
upon your representatives in every
branch at Washington, to see that
the needs of the navy are not for.
gotten in the future. The navy has
no one to speak for it save those
who speak for 1t because of their de-
votion to the honor and the interest
of the United States, and ask that
you and those like you make your
voices heard for the general welfare.
amid the din OF voices that speak
only for special interests"
With the senate chamber as the |
stage and twenty dignified United
Staes senators as the dramtis per-
sonae, an evening audience gathered |
In the galleries witnessed the pro-
duction of what might be termed the
drama OF National Prosperity"
These two score legislators one even
ing this week passed the rivers and
harbors bill. carrying more than
S92 100000 and the naval bill, APP
approximately $101, 900.
900, in n minutes. This was appro-
priating government moneys at the
rate of $2,5O0,O0O a minute, or
$4,000 second. While the pas
sage of the big naval bill was re-
ceived with applause, largely owing
to the present ticklish relations with
Japan, the record-breaking sum voted
for the improvement of the rivers
and harbors received even a more
recognition, for its pass
age indicated that the national gov {
had been aroused TO the )
necessity for devoting more money
and more attention 10 the needs of
which hitherto have been
overlooked In the preparation for {
wars that fail TO materialize. The b
,il las passed by the senate carries b
IN increase of $S,519,334 over that d
passed by the house. or the total OF u
more than $92 900, 900 carried by the Z
ill. upwards OF $40,000,000 is inn q
nediately available the remainder be- a
ng voted for continuing the work y
4 such contracts as are now under =
way. While the amount of cash !"
oted is still nearly $10,000.000 :
nder the sum that the National "
iivers and Harbors congress con-
ends Is necessary to prosecute this -
evelopment work. the present bill -
regarded as a long step toward =
be ultimate recognition OF this or =,
ideals. The record ~
reaking rivers and harbors measure he
the outgrowth OF existing trafio
and the acknowledge
Ient OF the railroads that they are .a
nable to care for the vast transpor- ia
Ition problems that have arisen as "a
result of the eountry's wonderful co
This increase In COM r,
cree thus will have TO find an out -
{ In some other direction. which -.
gically Is through the waterways OF
e country. X
Representative Champ Clark, OF "
issouri. gave a novel dinner this z
eek at which nineteen OF the "lame
leks" OF the house were his guests.
le term lame duck" Is used 10 n
ecify a member OF congress whose 4
nstituents. by their votes. have de-
led on his return 10 private life.
neral Grosvenor was the star
est. and next came Mr.. sibley. OF
These two were the q
ly Republicans present, the re-
.inIng seventeen being Democratic y
imbers who on March 4th will x
Ier their connection with the gov y
lment pay roll. Congressman
lrk was the only real live con-
'ssman present
senator Burkett. Of Nebraska'
5 chosen. 10 read the farewell ad-