The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-11-20
CLARK GIVES WILSON
PROMISE OF HIS AID
Speaker Urges "ReasOnable"
Outlay for Defence-Will
Support Presidents Bill.
KITCHIN NOT TO LOSE JOB

WASHINGTON. Nov. 1e.-Champ Clark
had a conference with President Wilson
this afternoon on the Administration
plans for national defence. MIR. Clark
declared uneQuivocally for Reasonable"
appropriations for preparedness. but did
not Indicate how far he thought Con-
gress should go in making a%ppropria-
tons for the purpose.
The Speaker assured the President
that he would support the Administra-
tien bills. although he will not direct
the fight on the floor Of the House a.
the Presidents spokesman.
The conference vas brief. an the
Speaker was suffering from a sever
cold and could hardly speak above a
whisper. Another conference will bs
held before Congress r~eassembles
Speaker Clark came 10 Washington a,
the Presidents request TO give advice
OIL the revenue problem. the Admins.
tration shipping bill and the subject OF
national defence.
In line with his policy to keep IN
close touch this inter with his 'iegis-
lative colleagues the President will con.
fer with practically every leader In both
branches before Congress meets.
On Sunday the President will discuss
with Representative Fitzgerald
OF New York. chairman of the House
Committee on Appropriations. II Ia un.
derstood that Mr.. Fitzgerald will sub.
init plans To raise money for the add.
tional appropriations for the army and
navy without issuing bonds. This ques.
ton was touched upon In the confer.
ence to-day between the President and
Speaker Clark. II In the general un.
~derstandinR that practically all the
party leaders are opposed to a bond
issue.
Prior to his tall with the President
Speaker Clark briefly discussed severa
public questions. He indicated tina tn,
appropriations fight wou be directed
by the chairmen of the military ane
naval committees
"If ! have anything to say on thi,
or any other subject you may depent
on 1t that l will speak my mind" sale
Mr.. Clark.
Mr.. Clark chuckled when asked abou'
reports that the House organizatioI
might take way the leadership from
Representative kitchin.
That question was settled at q
Democratic caucus held some month";
ago. observed the Speaker.
Speaker Clark intimated hat In hi
opinion the revenue problem would b,
the most p%erplexing that Congress would
be called on TO solve this winter
Mr.. Clark has Just returned from ar
extensive trim fhrnsfRh tho .p,Vt.
did you find a good deal Of senti
ment favorable to preparedness h,
was asked.
Il found all kinds Of sentiment OF
this question:" he said. at ranges from
men who entertain advanced views. lik
Representative Gardner of Massachu,
sets. TO men who would make no ap.
preparations for the purpose at all"
Mr.. Clark expressed the opinion tina,
the country would support a reason
able programme OF preparedness. buI
did not say what he would regard as
"a reasonable programme"
He announced to-day that Il IL his
purpose to introduce a bill In Congress
to increase largely the number OF stu.
dents AT the naval and military acad
eiules. The hill will further provide
that II boy who can pass a prescribed
examination may he enrolled at either
academy withou; appointment upon pay.
ment of tuition representing the COS,
OF educating an individual al the re.
spective academies.
The measure will %stipulate h boy.
educated AT West Point and Annapolis
by payment OF tuition shall not he en-.
titled 10 commissions I'm either the army
or the navy. II Is his idea that the boys
trained at Annapolis under these cir.
cumstances may be assigned TO the mer.
chant marine II the Government under.
takes TO operate a merchant marine as
proposed by President Wilson.
Speaker Clark feels satisfied that hi.
bill will be enacted.