The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-08-14
He Assails Naval Policy
of Democrats in
House.
THREATENS WITH
LOSS OF VOTES
Intimates That They Prefer
Pork Barrel" to Welfare of
Navy, and Believes Country
Will Exact Punishment
if This Proves to
Be True.

Washington. August 13.-Secretary
OF the Macy Meyer. Just returned to
his duties after protracted illness.
assailed the naval policy OF the Demo
Gratis Of the House of Representatives
In statement made public to-day.
Whether the pork barrel" is more
importan, than the navy in tho minds
OF the Democrats. the secretary de-
clares remains TO be asce'tained az
ter another caucus OF the Democratic
members to be held to-morrow.
The proposition which has been ad-
yanced b. Democratic Senator"
says Secretary Meyer. TO have the
United states build the greatest bat
tleship ever constructed, is nothing
more than an attempt to distract at
tenlon from the delinquency Of the
Democratic party with reference to
the continued efficiency and upkeep
Of the navy since wha, is proposed
Is nothing more than what is already
required 10y every act OF late years.
making appropriations for additions
10 the fleet"
Thu secretary declares that the
Democratic senators have knocked out
the plan for the council OF national
defense which was Endorsed by the
Democratic National Convention. and
snip be appropriated for this year. the
United states Navy would IAN TO NTH
place in TWO years
"AM acts making appropriations for
the upkeep OF the fleet the secretary
says, require that the b-ttesh!ps 10
be constructed shall carry as heavy
arrnor and as powerful! armament IS
any vessel OF its class and snail nave
the Highest practicable speed and the
greatest practicable radius of action
Country is Watching.
The country is now watching the
Democratic party TO learn whether u
proposes beginning its campaign o.
formulating also one Of the most I'M
portant pianks in its platform. Public
sentiment on this question is aroused.
ana the country is waiting TO see what
vii! be the mail Democratic action
We nave mad the spectacle this year
OF Democratic caucus OF tn House
OF Representatives putting : gas rule
on its members and thus preventing
them from voting for i patriotic APP
propriat!on. the purpose OF winch was
nat!ona! defense and national honor.
Certain Democratic IncNtneES, 4IutI t.tc
leadership of Mr.. Su!zer, are cadeav-
oring to have the caucus rescind its
no battleship program, in order TO
sanction each Democrat in the House
in voting according to his conscience.
1t remains to be seen whether the
Democratic party places local interests
ahead OF patriotism: whether the pork
barrel is TO be considered as OF more
Importance than the navy.
1t is well-known maxim admitted
hy all. that the Monroe Doctrine is no
stronger than the navy. that the navy
is no stronger than the fleet. ana that
the fleet is the navy. should Congress
appropriate for only one oattleship at
this session. the navy would fall into
NTH place in two years. and the navy's
present position could only DC recov
cred b. an appropriation ror three bat
tlcshps at the next session OF Con-
gress.
Many independent voters have stated
thar II the Democrats cannot Be relied
upon TO maintain the efficiency OF the
navy. and thus be prepared to uphold
the national honor. they intended to
show their disapproval OF the party's
action by voting against it at the COM
ing election