The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1912-08-14
SECRETARY MEYER
TO AAW'S RESCUE
Attacks Democrats for Fail
ure to Provide for Ma
tional Defense.
(National News Associatior)

(National News AssociatioE)
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14.-secre-
tary Of the Navy Meyer, just returned
to his duties from a protracted i'll
ness, assailed the naval policy of the
Democrats of the House of Repre-
sentatives in a statement made pub
lie yesterday.
Whether the pork barrel is more
important than the navy in the minds
of the Democrats, the secretary de-
clares, remains to be ascertained aft
4er another caucus of the Democratic
members to be held today.
THE proposition which has been
advanced by Democratic senator"
says Secretary Meyer, ito have the
United States build the greatest bat
tleship ever constructed is nothing
more than an attempt to distract at
tention from the delinquency of the
Democratic party with reference to
the continued efficiency and up-keep
of the navy, since what is proposed is
nothin:, more than what is already
required by every act of late years
making appropriations for additions
to the fleet"
Democrats Injure Navy.
The secretary declares that the
Democratic senators have knocked
out the plan for the council of ma
tional defense which was Endorsed by
the Democratic national convention
and he asserts that should but one
battleship be appropriated for this
year the United States navy would
fall to fifth place in two years.
All acts making appropriations for
the upkeep of the fleet, the secre-
tary says require that the battle
ships to be constructed shall carry as
heavy armor and as powerful arma-
ment as any vessel of it's class, and
shall have the highest practical speed
and the greatest practical radius of
action.
"The council of national defense
since the Democratic convention in
Baltimore has been knocked out in
the Senate by Democratic senator
ON point or order.
"The country is now watching the
Democratic party to learn whether it
regulating also one of the most i'm
portant planks in its platform. Pub
lie sentiment on this question is
aroused and the country Is waiting to
see what will be the final Democratic
action.
Gag Rule Employed.
1--WE have had the spectacle this
year of Democratic caucus OF the
House of Representatives putting a
gag rule on its members and thus pre-
venting them from voting for patri-
otto appropriation, the purposes OF
which were national defense and ma
tional honor. Certain Democratic
members, under the leadership Of Mr.
Sulzer, are endeavoring to have the
caucus rescind it's no-battleship pro
gram in order to permit each Demo
crat in the house to vote according to
his own conscience. 1t remains to be
seen whether the Democratic party
places local interests ahead of pat
riotism.
"It is a we'll known maxim, admitted
by all, that the Monroe doctrine Is ne
stronger than the fleet, and that the
fleet is the navy The navy's pre-
sent position can only be recovered by
an appropriation for three batleship'
at the next session of congress.
"Many independent voters have
stated that if the Democrats can no
be relied upon to maintain the eff
cheney of the navy, and thus be pre-
pared to uphold the national honor
they intend to show their disapprova
of the party's action by voting agains
1t at the coming election"