New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-12-19

manded to know Mr.. Gardeners methoos
Of developing the national deienee can
paign in which he was engaged. Mi'
Gardner replied by stating the circun-
stances leading up TO his resolution "
jnstitute non-partisan inquiry into
national defence and his Ill luck with
the heads of the administration IN Sc
curing support for such an inquiry
GRAY Asks About Propaganda.
Mr. GRAY interrupted to know if M.
Gardner had been in communication
with mercantile concerns IN the Ch''eu
States relative 70 his propagahuSd;,
81 have sent letters TO every NnAnl-
ber ~ Commerce and Board of Trade
~ tho limited States" Mr.. Gardner an
nounced. 81 have, | may say, received
yenlies distinctly favorable to such an
investigation, too, from North and
South and everywhere in the United
States. but, of course, few letters
disappearing the proposition came from
North Carolina"
North Carolins is Secretary Dsniels's
state, and Mr.. Gardeners point was not
lost on the committee. But Mr.. Gard
ner was not satisfied with telling the
committee this. He thought he saw IN
Mr.. Grays question the shadow OF q
suggestion that back of the national
defence movement stood the ammunl-
ton, ordnance and shipbuilding inter,
ests Of the country, and he demanded
TO know what Mr.. Gray meant by such
question. -,
He turned furiously upon him, but
Mr.. Gray refused 70 pursue the sub
iect, and Mr.. Gardner was left up IN
The air as to what he really meant to
develop During the interchange be-
tween lir. Gray and Mr.. Gardner the
bawling Of the verbal combstants
could be heard through the central
buildi-x of the Capitol. Mr.. Gardner
finally outbawled his rival, and Chair.
go Padgett forced restoration OF
me se,nblance of order and the com
u'ttee adjourned.
Nr. Gardner prefaced his general
,tatement Of the reasons leading up TO
his seeking a hearing before the Navy
Committee with the statement that
what he had TO present were facts. He
did not pose as an expert on naval
matters, or army matters, either, Tor
that matter, but he thought the nation
/. onld satisfy itself, through a thor
ougn Investigation of every phase OF
tic national defence problem.
Wanted Experts Heard.
To told the committee that every
statement he would make could be
backed up by the testimony Of experts
s1i further that If his request for the
summons of naval and military su-
thcrities had not been denied by both
the executive and legislative branches
of the government his own appearance
to-day would have been unnecessary
Mr.. Gardner said:
II am here to ask you to appropriate
for the full number of new ships
recommended by the General Naval
Board for this years construction
Don't be penny wise and pound foolish
The country, for a change, is going to
watch us, so don't reduce the building
programme Of the general board. AS
YOU know, the General Naval Board
from 1903 down to the present time
has had a pretty definite policy, but
we have paid il no attention hitherto.
The boards programme is based on
battleship feet of forty-eight ships,
with ships of other types in varying
proportion. This plan is calculated to
provide for our defence and the defence
of our doctrines against any nation ex-
cept Great Britain.
~ am sorry to say that Secretary
Daniels in his recommendations to
Congress has cut the naval boards
building programme for this year al
most exactly in two. Moreover, some
of you gentlemen will take further
hack at it if your nerve holds out
strong, as l have no doubt that 1t Will,
and il you are not outvoted."
Representative Hensley, of Missouri,
wanted to know how long Mr.. Gardner
had been in Congress and If he had
had these views during his entire ten
ure.
II have been in Congress twelve
years." said Mr.. Gardner, and nave
been q coward all that while"
"And why have you suddenly adopted
this method of bringing in an investi-
CATION? 2" asked Mr.. Hensley who IS
one of the recognized small navy men
and pacifists of the committee and an
ardent Bryan man.
BECAUSE when I sought it through