Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-11-17
% WAR
OVER WAR MEASURE
SIGNS OF OUTBREAK OF HOS
Utilities AMONG ADMINS.
TRAT'on c'RcLEs.
CABINET MEMBERS OPPOSED
TO GARDNER RESOLUTION
Will Seek to Block Investigation Of
Nations Preparedness or Unpre-
paredness For War-Forfner cabi-
net Officers May BE Called az Wit
nesses.
Especial Correspondence

Washington, Nov. lit has become
clear there is likely to be war between
strong elements in congress and the
administration over war preparations.
! 1t Will not be sanguinary like the con-
flict raging abroad but the verbal fire
will no doubt be hot enough.
Already, signs of trouble are numer-
Gus. In the house, congressman Gard
ner is not only going to push his reso-
luton for an investigation into the lack
of preparation of the United States to
defend itself but ne is getting up list
! Of witnesses to appear before the rules
committee and be heard in behalf OF
the resolution.
The administration and cabinet Off
Gals most concerned are taking an at
titude which makes it plain they are
hostile to the inquiry.
Whether this hostility will be such
as to block a hearing by the rules COM
mittee on the Gardner resolution has
not yet developed. But it is expected
thac efforts will be made either to pre-
vent any preliminary hearing by the
rules committee or a favorable report
after preliminary hearing.
Gardner Persistent.
However Congressman Gardner who
is one of the most persistent fighters
in the house, is taking an optimistic
view. He believes that public opinion
will force an investigation. He Is get
ting up a list of witnesses whom he
wants to have called before the rules
committee and allowed the opportunity
to making statements as to the real
situation in which the country would
find itseld If attacked.
In the list of men whom Mr.. Gard
ner wants called are Former Secre-
ta -ies of the Navy Bonaparte and
Meyer and Former Secretary of War
Stinson Bernard Walker. editor OF
the Scientific American is another man
whom Mr.. Gardner wants called. IT
the investigation should be ordered. 1t
is expected Colonel Roosevelt would
be given a chance to appear.
Congressman Gardner has written
to Chairman Henry. of the rules COM
mittee. asking that two or three days
in December be set apart for the pre-
liminary hearing on the resolution.
This hearing would be on the question
whether a commission Of investigation
ought to be named. But the testimony
would go directly to the question Of
the state Of the national defence.
Can't Prevent Discussion.
1t will be impossible, however. to
keep down agitation and discussion OF
the question in congress. no matter
how hard the administration may
work to block the Gardner resolution.
Both in connection with the army bill,
the Notifications bill and the naval bill
the subject is going to be debated In
the house and senate. Not since the
Spanish War has there been so strong
o disposition in congress to turn the
| light on the army and navy and en-
deavor to correct the we'll known
weakness Of the American system OF
defense on land and sea as there is
now. This disposition is by no means
of a partisan nature nor is the matter
being stirred up particularly by army
and navy men. Mr. Gardner has gone
into it because, as he has told friends,
! he believes it is patriotic duty.
Socialist Favors Preparedness.
| One Of the most prominent socialist
leaders Of the country has recently
said that the time had come when the
United States should prepare itself
and not allow itself to be caught nap
ping. He does not want militarism or
| large expenditures on the army but he
wants a great reserve OF men trained