The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1912-03-05

eminent service. applause ON Ga
Democratic sldoJ
Mr.. Prince. VIII the gentleman
yield for half a minute?
Mr. Hay. ] will yield to the gentle
man.
Mr. Prince. The gentleman made
reference TO the fact that he might D..
removed on account OF this bill.
Mr. Hay ] did not said moth
ing of the sort said If he had been
relieved on account OF this bill
Mr.. Prince. ! can tell the gentle
man the reason, II he wants to know
and think the country ought TO
know It.
Mr.. Hay. Now, gentlemen Of the
committee, the gentleman from Ala
bama (Mr. Hobson), whose patriotism
seems to consist I'm arousing the fears
Of the people of this country against
the people Of other countries, which
seems to consist in expressing his
opinions on the Chautauqua platform
and being absent from the House
says that we are inclined to railroa'
this legislation through the House.
Why, gentlemen, this bill has been
under consideration for very nearly
two weeks, and a part Of that time
the gentleman, I presume, has been
away, as he usually is, and has not
known what was going on. tApplause
on the Democratic side)
This clause in the bill was intro
duced into this House last April. Hear
ings were had upon this particular
part of the bill last summer, and
everybody had an opportunity to come
before the committee and express HE
views upon it. A Agreat many officers
did come before the committee am
did give their views on the matter
did not hear any request from tn
gentleman from Alabama to come be
fore the committee; I have not heard
that he had any interest in this bil
until a few moments ago when hear"
that he was going 10 make a speech
against It, as he always seems ready
to make a speech against any Dropost
ton which looks toward saving the
money Of the people. applause on
the Democratic side.)
Now, there is no question Of rail
reading this bill through the House
| Nobody wants to railroad it througN
| the House. nor has any attempt o.
| that sort been made. Owing to tn
peculiar attack made upon me by the
gentleman from Alabama, ! have not
| done as l intended to-give the rea-
sons why this five-year enlistment IS
| better for the army than the three
/ year enlistment; but I want to say
| to you that it does not impair the of-
| ficiency Of the army. I am sustained
| in that by the adiutant general OF III
army, by the inspector general Of thu
army, by three of the most eXper
/ fenced recruiting officers in the army
Snd by 191 line officers Of the army
/ want to say that l am antagonize'
in it by the chief of stan and the sec
rotary Of war and by lot Of youno
officers who are the recipients OF tn
favors Of the chief of STAFF and the
secretary of war, who otherwise would
not be heard in this matter. CAP
plause on the Democratic side)
Mr.. Hobson In the interest Of the
J officers who are impugned, may I as
the gentleman
Mr.. Hay I impugn nobody's char
acter. have not said a word agains
their character.
Mr.. Hobson But will the gentle
man
Mr.. Slayden. The gentleman iron
Virginia declines to yield and l as
+ that the rule be enforced.
Mr.. Hay. Mr.. Chairman, do no
: propose to follow the example of tn
gentleman from Alabama and impug
S anybody's character, nor have I dor
e so. applause on the Democrat
n side) have simply stated thu
these young men, 1926 captains, ninet,
y one lieutenants, who testified in fave
= of the three-year enlistment are youn
y officers on detached duty, and sent
l. that detached duty by the chief {
e staff and the secretary of war, an
e it is most natural that they shou
II think as the chief of staff and the Sc
L rotary of war do on a question: Of ~
j character Now / will yielu, M
ID Chairman, 10 the gentleman fro
'e Texas (Mr Slayden).
Mr.. Prince Mrs Chairman, a pa
n liamentary inquiry.
e. Mr.. Hay. Just one moment | wa
to state that the Democratic membe
W of the military committee desired
get up individually and deny III
to charge made by the gentleman fro
Alabama.
a Mr.. Prince. Under the circu
stances. as the gentleman Consum