Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-11-20
CLARK TO SUPPORT
DEFENSE PROGRAM
In Conference With President
Assures Him of Aid Be-
fore Congress.
MAY TAKE CHARGE OF FIGHT
Speaker Does Not Think There
Will Be Effort to Gust Kitchin
From Leadership.
MAY TAKE CHARGE OF FIGHT
Especial to The TIMES Dispatch. !

Especial to The Tinfcs -Di spatcl.
WASHINGTON. November ls.-I'resi-
dent Wilson aud Speaker Champ Clark.
OF the House OF REPRESENTATIVES, held
an important conference Il, the White
House late this afternoon on the Presi
dents preparedness program. In gen
eral way. the Speaker assured the
President Of his support, declaring him
self in favor Of a reasonable pro
gram"
After the conference Speaker Clark
stated that ne could not yet say
whether he thought the President s
program was "rcasonaplc." as he was
not acquainted with the details Of the
administrators plan. The belief that
the Speaker Will take charge Of the
hght on the floor in behalf of the pro
gram, however. was strengthened by
his admission that he intended to leave
the chair during the coming session
and speak in favor of certain measures
whenever occasion demands. Ills keen
interest in the subject of prcpa redncs IS
was manifested to-day by his announce
mcnt that he has prepared II bill 90
provide sufficient officers for any re-
serve force which may he created.
The Speaker said he does not believe
a fight viii toe made to ousi Ecprcsen-
tativc Claude Eitchin from the post
of majority leader because OF his an
nounccd opposition to the administra- :
tons program. Interest still con-
t!nues. however. in the unusual situa =
ton which has been brought about by
Mr.. Kitchin'S declaratiou especially as
h" is TO bc tn" new chairman OF the
Ways and Means Committee. In this
position he will he called upon to pro-
vide revenue to carry out the prepared
ness program TO which lie is opposed.
WILL. NOT OPPOSE PLAN
IN OFFICIAL CAPACITY
Members OF the Ways and Mems
Committee said to-day that they be-
iicv"d Mr.. Kitchin's efforts against the
President will be merely personal. and
he Will not oppose it in his official ca
parity as majority leader.
REPRESENTATIVE Henry 7. Haincy, Of
Illinois. ranking member of the COM
miitcc. who. with Representative T.. ].
/ Garrett. Of Tennessee. has been III II :
toned as possible successor Ia
Kitchin should the North Carolinian
hc dcpos.h. said.
Freedom or action has always been
counted good democracy. Tho Demo
cratic party in Congress. therefore, is
not going TO punish :. man for taking
~ stand dictated by his conscience
kitchin will not hc dcposcd as floor
leader because he opposes an increa SO
in tho army aud navy"
II Mr. kitchin loses his fight. il is
the opinion of his fellow members that
he VIII take up the question Of provid-
ing revenues 10 carry out the program
without reference To his personal fcel.
ir9s in tn" matter
Speaker clark arrived here this after
noon and called at the White House
at $50 o'clock. Most OF the time hc
spent with the President was devoted
10 a genera; discussion OF ways and
means OF produ'ins revenue at the
coming session.
Before he went TO the White House.
tho Speaker declared that. in his opin-
ION. one. or perhaps two. OF the already
informally proposed measures for rails
ing the funds necessary to put into
practic" tho preparedness program
would h" followed Tho possibilities
mentioned by tho Speaker were q re-
vision OF the income tax schedule a
retention of tho duty on sugar. Il re-
enactment of tho emergency war mca g
urc and the sale of Panama Canal
bonds