The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-03-02
HON. W. A. JONES AND HIS POSITION

Congressman w. A. Jones has
written the News-Leader. Richmond,
again, calling that paper TO account
for misstatements In connection
with his record in the House, and
especially on the ship subsidy Ques-
ton. The letter follows:
Editor The News-Leader:
1t is very unpleasant to me to be
again obliged to call your attention
TO certain statements made by you
in an editorial in your Issue OF Feb.
%. relating to my alleged public
record. which are absolutely without
foundation in fact. and therefore un
justified.
Stating that my record in regard
to ship subsidies was at your
disposal you proceed to ahege that
/ have repeatedly voted for what
you conceive to have been ship
subsidy measures, and that this
classified me as a protectionist in
the EXTREMIST meaning of the term.
You charge that my attitude with
reference to ship subsidy measures
has undergone radical change
since Newport News with its ship
yards was put into my district. This
insinuation is baseless as well rs
gratuitous. My purpose, however,
in writing this letter is not 10 enter
into discussion as to the propri-
ETY. of the votes cast by me upon
measures relating TO ship subsidy OF
ocean mail service. Ii is simply 10
point out that you have flagrantly
misstated the facts relating to this
subject. as | shall proceed in a Few
words TO demonstrate.
1t is true that opposed all ship
subsidy measures before Newport
News was placed in the First DIS
trict. and il is also true that IN
the wear 1909 l, with one or two
other Democrats, voted for an
amendment you stigmalize as snip
subsidy measure. but which. never
thelcss passed the. senate without
a dissenting Democratic vote. But
il is not true that have repeatedly
voted for ship subsidy measures
since Newport News became a part
of the First District. This is the
only vote ever given by me for any
bill ever claimed by anybody to be
a ship subsidy measure.
You also state at considerable
length. ana with great particularly,
that in The year 1910 the ship sub
sidists brought in another measure
which all Democrats. save Mr.. Jones
and one other, MIR Bartlett. OF Ne
vada. recognized as a ship subsidy
measure. and that Mr.. Bartlett ana
I alone. OF all Democrats, voted ioF
this measure. This statement Is
most astonishing. II is also
unqualifiedly untrue IN every
single particular. No such
measure as this was ever consider
cd in the house of representatives
during the year 1910. or at any
other tine so far as my memory
serves me. and therefore 1t neces-
sarilv must follow that | couid
never have voted for il. And yet
YOU pretend that my record was al
your disposal when you MADE th'S
reckless and absolutely uniouhdeu
charge against me.
II [ may be permitted TO enlight-
en- you as 10 my record upon TINS
subject. since it seems to be one
in which you are greatly Interested.
I will say that l not only voted and
spoke against ship subsidies before
Newport News became part Oh
II .-fr hut that also
spokc and voted against snip SUD
sides after it. with its great ship
building interests. had become
mar. of my district ii you will eX
anime the record which you say IS
al YOUR disposal. you will discover
that in the year 1907 a bill, Whlch
was generally regarded as snip
subsidy measure. was voted upon
in the house Of representatives al
Ter an exhaustive debate which GOV
cred several days; and YOU VIII as
cover that | was opposed TO that
measure. This bill was formulated
nv the Merchant Marine Commission
of which a Virginia senator was
member. and which, If mistake not
ala not receive a Democratic vote
IL, the house. II, too. you will eX-
anime the debates on the rayne
AIdrich bill, you will find that
made a speech declaring my posi-
ton at considerable length IN re-
lard TO ship subsidy legislation.
To sum up. I will repeat thaI
enc Merchant Marine Commission
Inn voted upon in the house Ill
tho wear 1907. after Newport News
was placed in the First District anu
universally regarded as a snip SUI
sidy measure, did not receive my
snnnort. Indeed, it did not, as
have said. receive the vote OF SIN
gle Democrat. -
ever cast by me in favor %
anv measure that has by anybody
been supposed to relate in the re
hottest degree to ship subsidy was
that upon the amendment 10 Whlcn
have alluded, and which was IN
the year 1909. This amendment, as
Won must know, although your 81
lence upon that phase OF the SUD
iect is most significant, was unop-
posed by any Democrat in the SEN
ate
need not refer again to the
bill Of 1910, which you say voted
for, since it only existed in your
or in that of your IN
formant, whoever he may have been.
May | not ask, in view of what
| have said, that you will give TINS
letter the same prominence which
you gave to your editorial.
Yours truly,
w A. Jones.
Washington, Feb. %, 1911.