Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1915-10-28
NEWSPAPERS TALE
Anglers PRESIDENT
No Emissary From Steel
Barons to Be Received
at White House.
DEFENSE PROGRAM NOT
"SOP" TO BIG BUSINESS
Expected Industries Will Benefit,
But No "Gouging" Is to
Be Permitted.


cation to the effect that the steel
barons are so pleased with his ma
tional defense program, in view
of the financial possibilities ahead
for them, that they have sent
an "emissary" to the President
pledging their support for his re-
election next year.
The President considers the charge
libelous and has called upon the news
paper to repudiate that portion of its
emissary to him to announce their
clared that no such emissary has Wis
tied the President and none would be
received II his mission were known in
advance. The Presidents program. it
is declared, was long ago decided upon,
without consideration Of the DEMENT'S
that would flow in any direction and
without consultation with anybody hav-
ing interest In steel plants or ammu-
milton factories.
Business Benefit Expected.
1t is candidly admitted that If the
preparedness program is put through
and the government proceeds to make
preparations without delay. steel and
ammunition concerns will benefit. I'M
less provision Is made for the estab-
lishment of federal plants to supply
the needs. 1t is recognized that this
would be practically impossible for
number of years to come. The gov
eminent program provides for putting
the country on good defensive basis
within five or six years. II the prepa-
rations went longer than that time
there would be little use Of prepared
ness at all, in the viewpoint of the
administration.
The establishment of great munition
and gun plants Is a matter of many
years. Germany's efficiency in that di-
rection having taken Twenty-Five years,
not to speak Of the famous Krupp
works. the largest in the world, taken
over by Germany at the beginning of
the war.
1t Is regarded as probable that the
President will favor provision in the
appropriation bills that are expected
government-owned works - certainly
some provision that will enable the
government to prevent the steel and
other corporations from holding up
the government for great profits.
Secretary Daniels has long been maxi
ing plans for an armor plate plant to
be operated by the government. and
Secretary Garrison is giving careful
thought to the best methods Of insur-
ing the government a supply OF Its
own in case of war without having to
depend wholly upon private concerns.
On Lookout for "Gougers.
President Wilson, it is believed, will
carefully watch any scheme to touch"
the government in connection with the
large expenditures for national defense.
On previous occasions. even during his
campaign for President, he threatened
to denounce oficially corporations that
fiaRrantly trampled upon the rights OF
the people II no other method Of reach
ing them could be found. The White
House is loath to believe that great
manufacturing concerns will seek to
take advantage of the patriotic senti-
ments sweeping the country favoring
preparedness to meet foreign attack:
The Presidents friends today believed
that the President will md way 10
induce private concerns to do what
work Is required at minimum prohts,
and they suggest that 1t will be I'M
wise for any concern to attempt goug-
ing" the government.
There will be no surprise in we'll in
formed circles IL the President shortly
comes out with statement on the
subject or incorporates his views on the
story that has been given currency in
a speech. The main political danger
plan Is the circulation of intimations
that the steel barons will fall over
themselves to support Mr.. Wilson for
another term in view Of his approval OF
thorough preparedness and that the steel
corporations will fatten enormously ia
the next few years.
Mr.. Bryan Leading Attacks.
W. ]. Bryan ia leading those who are
alta cking the steel concerns over the
good times ahead of them if the gov
eminent has to go to them for NUM-
tions armor. etc. The various changes
Of this story will be rung throughout the
debates in Congress over the admins
tration program. Supporters of the
President fully understand that the
government can take no steps in the
direction Of defense without giving to
American manufacturers more work. II
is true with battleships and all other
government construction and supplies
it IL declared, and so will 1t be IN the
future.
nectinp pledges or support from anybody,
and the political Affiliations OF men en-
RACED in the munition business. who may
or may not get largo contracts from the
government In the future, will not be in
ouired into by high officials OF the gov
eminent. while the President is re-
ioiced that business throughout the coun-
try is prosperous and he has no hatred
for concerns doing well. he would prob
ahlv prefer, his friends believed today.
that the men in big business bestow their
political favors elsewhere. He would at
least be quite Indifferent to whether the
steel barons supported him or republi-
can candidate for President
Plain Speaking Likely.
II IL said to be probable that when
the President appears before the Man
haitian Democratic Club in New York
November 4 he will speak plainly on
some of the questions herein touched
upon. It is known that he will make
a call for national unity. along strong
er lines than heretofore. Hyphenated
Americanism will receive a few more
hunons from his oratorical sledge ham
rn.r and the President will express the
hone that all true Americans will unite
in a universal spirit for national de-
Tense and ideals.
The President is understood to regret
deeply the attitude Of hyphenated or
ranizations which still regard their OBJ
legations to foreign nations as stronger
than to the United States. HIS infor-
nation is that q gum shoe night Is to
be made against him from now on to
lessen the confidence Of the people in
him, He Is willing to meet this night.