Newark evening star and Newark advertiser., 1914-12-11
PARKER, BACK IN
HOUSE, ASKS FOR
STRONGER ARMY
Congressman Urges Extension
of West Point and Military
Training for Boys.
Special TO the Evening star.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11.-By actual
count there were thirteen Democrats
md seventeen Republicans on the
door of the House yesterday after
noon when Congressman r. Wayne
Parker arose to make his first speech
since his return. There had been a
goodly showing of representatives
earlier in the day when the roll was
called. but they dwindled away as
the group of jingoes, or as they are
now referred to, the men with tnt
'bellicose veins" made speech after
speech on war and our preparedness
for it,
Congressman Parker attacked the
problem of our preparedness for war
from a new angle, and his remarks
were frequently punctuated with ap-
rlause from the Republican side. He
vent into details advocating more
men. more armament and especially
more officers to take charge or the
men in time of need. He urged an
extension of West Point. or if that
could not be done the establishment
Of additional military schools for the
training of officers.
In fine peroration he asserted:
Our strength lies in the people, not
in standing armies. Tt lies IN de-
tense, not in attack. 1t lies not IN
war But we can only keep peace
s we have a people who are not
only numerous. but who are provided
with arms. trained officers and men,
and who from youth know how TO
obey orders march together and
shoot straight. Such an army would
be invineible. for on the call of the
country its soldiers would spring ap
like Minerva. full armed for war"
Recalls Burning Of Capitol.
The newly-elected member from the
Ninth district started off his speech
bv reminding his sparse audience
that It was just a century ago that
:, few thousand British troops put
our raw levies" to flight in the
Bladensburg races and burned the
United States capitol. He went on
to say: "Our wars have always
come like a bolt from the blue. Our
people wished for peace when we
we're flung into war by some occur
renee like the Chesapeake and the
Leonard. the massacre of the Alamo,
the first shot at Sumter or the de-
struction of the Maine
I'VE pray for peace, but if war
comes we shall not have time TO
gather supplies and create armies,
as we did in 1861 and 1898. 1t was a
main object of the Constitution to
secure domestic tranquility and pro-
4ide for the common defense, and
that tranquility can best be secured
by making such provision that other
nations will hesitate to attack US.
'The American army costs on an
average one thousand dollars per
man. A standing army of million
would cost one thousand million dol
ars a year The cost Is prohibitive.
We can. make PROVISION of arms,
ammunition, equipment, educated
officers. at one-fortieth of this cost,
even if arms and equipment have to
be entirely renewed every ten years.
twenty-five million dollars year
viii only support $4,000 men in the
landing army. The same sum will
IN ten years make full provision for a
million men.
Can Rely Upon Our Industries.
"If We can rely upon our factories.
N case OF emergency, to supply most
Ct our clothes. harness, wagon work,
ammunition and shoes (as we may
cry fairly do), so that we need only
out arms in store We can with the
same sum. or at cost of $4,000 men,
put rifles, field cannon and their car
riages in store for 5000. 900 men within
ten years, and we can do this without