West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1915-11-25
KiMoWoop. NOVEMBER rs
CONGRESSMAN BROWN DEFINES
HIS POSITION ON CERTAIN
PUBLIC MEASURES.

all probability will be acted upon dur
ing the coming session OF Congress, 1 |
deem IL wise to reply to them, as well
~ to all others who are interested
In q public letter. 1 am glad to de-
nne my position on these questions
and would esteem 1t q favor to have q
reply from those endorsing my posi-
oon, as well as from those differing
with me. 1t Ia impossible to please
ALL but 1t is my purpose to do the
right az am given to see the right.
AS . patriotic citizen. and one deep
~ interested In the future welfare OF
our country. feel compelled to stand
for adequate preparedness. Prepared
ness does not mean war in any sense;
IL rather means preparedness to main
tain peace. II a good citizen ascer-
tained that there were burglars and
house breakers In his neighborhood
and would 60 to the store and buy
the best revolver he could get, secure
an ample supply OF cartridges, load
the revolver and place 1t at the head
or his bed, would that be evidence that
he intended to go out and kill people,
or would 1t only signify his prepared
ness for the thieves and robbers in
the event they broke into his house?
Would we not say Of that man that he
was wise and prudent? This is all
that is meant for this nation when
we advocate ample preparedness.
other nations are on the war path
and 1t Is our duty to be ready to repel
them should an invasion OF our terri
tory be made. England, France and
Aussia. In blood and treasure, have
paid the price OF unpreparedness
Therefore. We stand for and advocate
ample preparedness. 1t IL most diff
cult. however. to determine the proper
steps that should be taken to meet
these emergencies. We need dread
noughts. superdreadnoughts, battle
ships, submarines. torpedo boat de-
stroyers. and oversee crafts, and we
need armed cruisers; all these are es-
sential to protect our extensive coast
lines both on the Atlantic and Paci-
nc. Therefore. stand for big navy.
Many OF our friends say, however. 1t
Will be too expensive, and that 1t will
exhaust the revenues OF our country.
IN reply to this let me say that IL this
nation would spend as much yearly
upon our navy as we spend for chew
Ing gum. 1t would give US in ten years
the greatest navy in the world. II we
would spend the same amount on our
navy that We do for automobile sup
plies, in five years 1t would give US the
largest navy in the world; or, IL we
would spend on our navy what we
spend for alcoholic liquors and to-
oacco. In two years our navy would
De master of all the seas. When so
much money is spent unwisely, IL not
harmfully, upon luxuries, 1t does not
stand the American people in hand
TO complain about sufficient sums of
money wisely expended In building I'D
our navy. Therefore, / advocate and
will support all measures tending to
strengthen our navy, which I believe
Is needed to defend our cities and
coast towns, as we'll as protect our
commerce and the lives OF our citi-
zens on the high seas. I advocate
the building up Of our merchant ma
rine and nothing will go farther to
DO this than the assurances that our
sea going vessels will have ample pro-
lection In every part Of the globe.
1 am not In accord, however, with
the Secretary OF War and those who
advocate the building up Of a large
standing army. A standing army is
always expensive and has been looked
upon with disfavor by many OF our
wisest statesmen. Instead, however.
OF big standing army advocate the
encouragement and building up OF the
National Guard. History confirms the
statement that the best soldiers come
rom the fields, workshops and com
mercial circles Of nation. II is from
these sources that our National Guard
Is recruited. Let the members Of the
National Guard receive sufficient pay
from the general government 10 justi-
~ them In meeting for drill twice a
month under the direction OF we'll
trained military tacticians and Won
can rest assured that In a very abort
time you will have an army better
IMAM any standing army that can 9TH
erWise be enlisted. This will be a
great saving TO the government in the
hrst place, and in the second place Il
VIII distribute the pay OF the Guards
men throughout the entire country
and prevent the expenditure OF this
vast amount Of money in certain con-
gested districts.
The question Of Rural Credits will
also be up for action and disposition
at the coming session OF Congress
As a member OF the Committee on
Banking and Currency, have en,ovod
splendid opportunities Of studying this
question and have reached the CON
clusion that there should be a sound
system Of Rural Credits established
Rural Credit banks have been estab-
lishcd In nearly every European coun-
try. Some OF these are built up By
private capital, others have received
government aid. Il was with fear and
trembling that voted for the system
establishing our Federal Reserve
banks, for this put the government
directly In the banking business. The