The Washington times., 1914-12-07
PRESIDENT AGAINST
GARDENERS PROBE
Tells Congressman That Proper
Committee May Have the
Fullest information.

President Wilson today told Congress-
man Augustus p. Gardner of Nassl-
chusetts that he did not favor the Bay
State Congressman's proposed inquiry
i'm the state OF war preparedness OF
the army and navy of the United States.
To this extent only did he fulfill Mr.
Gardner's prediction OF last week that
the President would lay the cold hand
OF death on tho whole movement"
On the other hand. he declared 10 the
Massachusetts legislator that he was in
favor of the fullest inquiry by the
proper Congressional congnlttees. He
added, however. that there was no fact
in the possession OF the executive de-
partments which was not at the dts
posal of those committees.
The statement was made after Mr..
Gardner has prOpounded two categorical
questions to the President They were:
There are two ways of defeating my
resolution. 1t can be defeated on a
square yea and nay vote, or il can be
'pigeon-holed in the Committee on Rules
Which course do you favor?
2-Will You authorize army and navy
officers to testify before the Rules Com
mittee on my invitation either with or
without restrictive instructions?
Interview Was Short.
How the President answered these
questions is not known. The interview
was much shorter than had been an
ticipated by Mr.. Gardner He had hoped
to lay before the President information
which he had gathered independently of
the annual reports of the War and
Navy Departments, but he declared. the
interview did not get that far.
Before going into the Presidents Of
flee, Mr.. Gardner gave out copies of the
questions he was to PROFOUND. He in
dicated his intention to press the Presi-
dent for categorical answers. on leav-
ing his manner was constrained. He
declined to say what tho President had
told him. Asked whether the interview
was a pleasant one, he said:
1T was a civil one. I hope that both
the President and myself would have
sufficient self-control not to permit the
conference TO be unpleasant"
Secretary to the President Tumulty,
in the meantime. had prepared the fol-
lowing statement of what the President
had said:
Gardner that he was opposed to the
method of inquiry proposed by Mr..
Gardner because he thought that II was
an unwise way of handling a question
which might create very unfavorable in
ternationaI Impressions.
He stated to Mr.. Gardner that he
was entirely in favor OF the fullest in
ouirv nv the committee Of Congress and
that thcrc was no fact in tho possession
Of the Executive departments which
was rot at the disposal Of those COM
mites
His Recall a Surprise.
MY next step" said Mr.. Gardner as
he was leaving the White House, will
be TO organize some help in the House.
You may rest assured that I shall press
nv resolution calling for n commission
to investigate the state or tho coun-
try's preparedness for war.
Indications of what tho President S
attitude would DO toward the Gardner
proposition wero given by Senator TIL
man OF South Carolina, chairman OF
the State Naval Affairs Committee,
who. Just before Gardner went in,
talked the matter over with the lresi-
dent.
we talked" said Senator Tillman.
"about the naval preparedness of the
country. We arc in favor Of a naval
construction policy in accordance with
the terms OF tho Democratic platform,
and in favor OF the fullest inquiry into
the needs Of the navy
BY acommission such as that pro-
posed in tho Gardner. resolution he
was asked.
competent TO determine what is
needed"
But" It was suggested. suppose the
naval general board OF experts recon-
mends ono thing and the Secretary Of
the Navy another"
Then tho House and Senate com
mittees." he said. ARE fully competent
10 sift both recommendations and de-
terminc what is needed"