The daily Alaskan., 1915-01-29
Does Ditch Strengthen or Weak
 Gn Military Power?
LIVE TOPIC FOR A DEBATE,
Advocates of Two 5attleship Plan Point to Necessity For Strong De- lenses at Both Atlantic and Pacific Ends - Stone Points to Folly of Twisting the British Lions Tail.
By ARTHUR w. DUNN.

IT, batting societies in small towns have used nearly every question possible under the sun as a subject of discus sion and dispute. They should have something new. and they might take up this question: Docs the construc- ton of the Panama canal strengthen or weaken the military power of the United States?" This subject has been debated at considerable length, and no one has been able to determine it; hence 1t will make good subject of debate in the various societies that are educating young men and women to discuss various questions.
 The Panama canal would not now be so near completion if it had not been for the trip of the Oregon around South America to join the Atlantic fleet dur ing the Spanish war The Scndmg of the Oregon was a foolish thin" because 1t was unnecessary, as the United States had three times the force on the Atlantic side that was necessary to cope with anything that Spain could send against us.
 Does It Double or Diminish?
 Following the spanish war, the canal advocates began a systematic and strong effort for the building of the canal. Nearly all of them said that it would double the effectiveness of the navy. It was claimed that the navy could be used either in the Atlantic or the Pacific, as it was needed.
 Since the canal has been almost com nlctrd. there has been the strongest kind of demand for increasing the navy in order to protect the canal. Ad vocates Uf more battlcships have in- sisted that in order to protect the canal in time of war with any great power 1t will be necessary to have strong fleet -at each end of the canal. No wonder that certain members of congress are bewildcred when they read the req sons for the canal and then the req sons for much larger navy in order to defend the canal
 Stone and Tail Twisting,
 After a severe illness Senator Srone of Missouri spent a long time in Vir- ginia recuperadng, In his speech on the Panama canal tolls he referred to certain phases of discussion of the sub feet as viewed from his retreat. Look ing from that distance" he said, "l was amused as I watched the antics of those who resorted to the antiquated and now almost harmless trick or twisting the knotted tail of the British lion.
 A'It was apparent that all these spec taCular and feroCiOus tricks on the old lions rear defenSes and all the tusil' Iades of eloquence fired at him by in- hammatory congressional orators and all the extravagant expenditure of space devoted to him by old topcat newspaper rOmances had but one chiec inspiration and purpose, which was to stir afresh the ancient and justly in- herited hostility of the Irish people,
 A JudgmaticaI Man.
 During the discussion of a bill in the house Congressman Mann had some rhing to say about the committee OF interstate and foreign commerce, Of which Adamson of Georgia is chair man. and which brought out the fol lowing from the Georgia member: "i would not for the world differ with my distinguished friend on matters Of judgment, for he is an exceedingly iudgmatical man." Jim Mann has been called almost everything in the house. but AdamsOn's statement hts him very neatly.
 Fitzqerald's Demand. The chairman of "the great commit tee on appropriations, as it is ire 1upntly called in tue debates in the house. was sitting in the house res taurant surrounded by number Of friends and was concluding his lunch con. Presently the voice of MT. Fitz gerald was heard as if he was turning uDWN q request LOl tu iASA S""SN' ''f prupriation in the house, as he said to q waiter:
 Bring me a piece of pie. Bring 1t on clean plate. Bring q clean piece of pie and bring a clean piece of cheese
 What have you been up against Fitz?" asked one of his friends. Mileaqe Again.
 One day last week Congressman Cox of Indiana and Congressman Humph' rev of Washington had little tilt over mileage. Cox was miffed because Humphrey had criticised his course and charged Humphrey with being mileage grabber because he came from a distant state Humphrey came back and said that he had never stood upon the floor Of the house and made a speech coudemning mileage and then been the first man at the window to ! grab what was coming to him." | Humphrey insisted that th~ man who fought mileage ought not to take mie' 1 age. but there has never been man yet that has turned down the mileage anDrODriatiOn.