The Washington herald., 1914-12-08
WILSON OPPOSES
DEFENSE INQUIRY
Statement Says Gardner S
Methods Would Be
Unwise.
CONGRESS WANTS QUIZ
Many Resolutions Introduced in Both
Houses -"Chloroformed." Says
Author of Plan.

Representative Gardner's suspicion that
of death on his proposed inquiry by a
special committee OF Congress into the
adequacy of the national defenses was
well founded The President took a
stand in the open yesterday against this
character of an investigation, and now
the fight Is on. The Democratic leaders
in Congress are preparing to follow Tho
Presidents lead. but indications seem to
point clearly to a rapidly growing public
sentiment in favor of full publicity on
this question. and II has needed only a
single day Of the session to show the
issue raised by Representative Gardner
will overshadow all others.
The President, while expressing a lack
Of sympathy with Representative Gard
ner's proposed method Of dealing with
the question, maintains that he is in
favor of a full inquiry by the regular
committees of Congress-there are four
of them-and the President gives notice
that he stands ready to furnish such
committees every fact at his disposal
The President says nothing as to
whether such a divided investigation
would be open to the public or behind
closed doors Representative Gardner
quickly characterized the Presidents
his resolution.
Congress Is Interested.
While the President and Mr.. Gardner
were engaging in a skirmish of words.
resolutions and bills were being offered
on the floors of both houses which at
test the interest that has been aroused
by the national defense agitation. Not
less than three resolutions having a di-
rect bearing on the issue were introduced
II.
eral bills OF this character were intro
duced. among them bills directing the
Secretary of the Navy TO buy twenty
five aeroplanes, twenty-five hydrapIanes,
five dirigibles. and ten submarines, and
the Secretary OF War to purchase twenty
siege howitZers. fifty armored automo-
biles, fifty pieces OF field artillery. and
five dirigibles.
This was the statement issued by Sec
retary Tumulty after the President had
conferred with Representative Gardner:
The President told Representative
Gardner he was opposed to the method
Of inquiry proposed by Mr.. Gardner be-
cause he thought II an unwise way of
handling a question which might create
unfavorable international impressions.
He stated to Mr.. Gardner that he was
entirely in favor OF the fullest in
Quiry by the committees of Congress.
and that there was no fact in the
possession Of the executive departments
which was not at the disposal OF those
committees"
"ChIOrOformed," He Says.
Here is Representative Gardner's
statement in part:
Tho President. I think, has over
looked the fact that my resolution
calls for a report as well as an in
vestigation. Four different independ-
ent committees composed Of about
fifty members of Congress are charged
with the duty Of laying down our mill
tary policy in a haphazard. unrelated
sort OF way. How can four independ-
ent committees adequately investigate
themselves and make an Intelligent
report?
Il notice the President does not answer
my question as to the propriety Of
my resolution in the commit
tee on rules without a square yea and
nay vote, nor does he answer my ques-
tion as to officers testimony before the
committee on rules.
1T remains to be seen whether the
Democratic members Of the committee
on rules will accept the Presidents view.
1t may be easy enough to chloroform my
resolution and 1t may not be difficult 20
chloroform me; but all the anesthetics In !
the world can never lull to slep the de- |
mand Of an alarmed public sentiment |
that the truth must be revealed"
The questions Representative Gardiner |
during his call at the White House, put
up to the President and which, re now
complains. are unanswered, were:
''First-There are two ways of defeat |
Ing my resolution. 1t can be defeated |
on square yea and nay vote or It cav
be pigeon-holed by the committee on |
rules. Which course do you favor?
''Second-Will you authorize army and
navy officers to testify before the Com |
mittee on Rules on my invitation, either |
with or without restrictive instructions?' - |
Switzerland has ninety-three priyateIy-