The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-12-04
UNCLE JOE REFERS
WILSON TO TACITUS
McAdOO Chasing Ghost of Re-
publican Surplus With
Phantom Defence Plan.
EZEKIEL A POOR PROPHET

WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-Cncie Joe Can
non to-day introduced Tacitus. the old
Roman. as a witness In the controversy
as TO whether the United States should
increase It's expenditures for national
defence. Mr.. cannon DOL exception 10
President wilson's reference to Ezekiel.
whom Uncle Joe designated As 'rhe most
pessimistic prophet Of the Old Testa-
ment."
Preparedness ought to have been
provided for by maintaining a bank ac-
count to meet extraordinary expenses"
said Mr.. Cannon. now nearly so years
old and apparently as happy over his
reelection to the House for the twentieth
time as a raw recruit who appears with
his FIRST set Of credentials. The Re-
publicans left such a bank account but
II has been disslpated In the same way
that the prodigal son dissipated his sur
plus. The President apparently has for
gotten that parable and turned to Ese-
KEEL. He might have found a better
quotation In Tacitus. who said The
peace VI TdtlOtIS CftuTOt NC SetuTVu
out arms. nor arms without pay. nor pay
without taxes The whole argument IL
here. especially in the last two clauses.
Preparedness canno be without pay. nor
pay without taxes"
Uncle Joe comes TO Washington firmly
convinced that he will soon witness a
fight in he ranks Of the Democrats.
When Democrats fall out and adver-
tise their differences why should Re-
publicans objectr' queried Mr.. Cannon
with "A sardonic grin. Representative
kltchin. who will be at the head Of the
committee which has to find revenues.
and Secretary McAdoo. who Is the chief
srender, do not agree as to the assets
Of the Government. Mr.. kitchin finds
a deficit Mr.. McAdoo a surplus. I
have known such Engagements in fam
lilies where the provider and the spend
ers looked at the bank account from diff
ferent angles. but II - not common for
two great Administration leaders TO a X
such radically opposite views. Tho
Treasury either has a surplus or a def
cit. and the party in power ought tn
make the situation clear to the country.
at least from its own point OF view. be-
fore 1t asks the minority party to CO.
operate on n plan to spend millions
which may not be In existence.
lNrSc Nedfb ako I1f AutuiIllstI htlo
did not consult Republicans about the
reduction OF taxes. They made their
tarin bill in secret caucus and bound
their members to vote for II without
amendment. That was the beginning Of
this muddl-. Secretary McAdoo chased
the surplus left in the Treasury by Re-
publ!cans until II died from utter ex-
haustion. He is now chasing It's ghost
and. according 10 Mr.. KI,ch!n. the Sec
rotary is seeing old Republican ghosts
when he talks about a surplus"
Uncle Joe said he favored increased
appropriations for the army and navy
but couldn't say what his attitude would
be toward the Administration pro-
gramme until he looked IL over.
~ IT appeals to my judgment I shall
support the administration programme"
he said. III II does not I shall oppose
it. The party in power must provide
the revenue for these defence plans
The party responsible for the conduct
Of the Government must make its pre-
~paredness cover both end Of the ques-
ton. the taxes or bonds to put revenue
in the Treasury as well IA 10 take Il
out. They can't eat their cake and
have Il too"