Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-12-10
PRESIDENT FAV0Rs ONE PLAN
But Opposes National Security
Commission Idea-He Would
Have Regular House and Sen
ate Committees Conduct Probe
into Past Expenditures.

Washington Dec. Preparedness or
he United states for war seems destined
pr investigation in Congress Several
ills and resolutions bearing on the sub
bet were introduced to-day and an in
uiry by congressional committees Is re-
arded at the capitol as certain although
President Wilson told Representative
Fardner during the day that he opposed
he latters plan for an investigation by
national security commission The
President expressed the opinion that this
fould be an unwise way Of handling "a
uestion which might create very I'M
favorable interna tional Impressions"
Senator Lodge introduced in the Senate
resolution similar to the Gardner meas
re pending in the House, and asked that
lie on the table until tomorrow. 1t
-oud provide for a national security
ommission to be composed of three
hembers OF the Senate, three members OF
he House and three citizens to h. ap-
ointed by the President
FAvORs FULL INQUIRY.
President Wilson let 1t he known after
Is conference with Representative Card
er that he was entirely in favor Of thu
(illest inquiry by regular committees Of
he House and Senate into military condi-
ons, and .dded that there We're no facts
b possession OF the executive depart
nents which We're not at the disposal OF
hose committees. In line with this atti-
(lde Senator James Hamilton Lewis.
emocratic whip OF the Senate, introduced
resolution which would direct an ex-
austive inquiry by the military and
avail committees Of the Senate into the
Expenditure of millions Of dollars appro-
rated in the past for national defense.
ne inquiry would be directed to ascer-
bin just what had been provided by the
Expenditures of late years and to ascer-
hin actual military conditions. The re-
olution was referred to the COMMITTEES
n military affairs.
SENATE PASSES RESOLUTION
Another military measure, submitted
y Senator Chamberlain Of Oregon
hartman of the military affairs com
nittee, proposed the creation OF a coun
il OF national defense to consist of tn,
ecretary of state as president, the secre
aries Of war and the navy. the chair
men Of appropriation, military, nava
no lOfclSn TeldlIOuS committees TN
|enate and House, the chief Of stat
( the army and an officer of the navy
nd heads Of the army and navy wa
oleges. Such board would be au
horned to investigate conditions OF ma
ional defense and make recommenda
ions for Improvements.
Senator Hitchcock had passed by tn
enate without debate a resolution call
ng upon the secretary Of commerce 70
Information as to the extent OF exporta
ion OF arms and munitions Of war fror
ne United States to bellgerent foreig
ations, or TO Canada existing contract
this country for expectation of sue
material and the normal condition Of ex
orts OF such materials In time Of peace
later Senator Hitchcock introduced
ill which would prohibit the sale @
munitions Of war or materials for us
, such munition during existence O
var, except upon proof that the
we're not TO be used against any coun
~ with which the United States was a
|eace.
STATEMENT BY GARDNER
Representative Gardner tonight issue
he following statement
THE President, I think, has over
poked the fact that my resolution call
or a report as we'll as an investigation
rour different independent committee
Composed OF about 30 members Of Cor
ress are charged with the duty Of layin
own our military policy In a haphazar'
nrelated sort Of way. How can foI
Independent committees adequately inve
igate themselves and make an intelligcr
eport?
What the public wants TO know
OF what Chairman Hay. Chairman She
ey, Chairman Padgett and Chairma
fitzgerald think Of their own and the
predecessors work, but what somebot
l$e thinks Of IT,
81 notice that the President in q
White House statement does not answ
ny question as to the propriety of smot
ring my resolution in the committee {
ules without a square yea and nay vot
or does he answer my question as
Ulcers testimony before the commit
n rules.
1T may be easy enough TO chlorofor
ne; but all the anaesthetics In the wor
an never lull TO sleep the demands Of ,
la rmed public sentiment that the tru
must be revealed"