The evening herald. (Klamath Falls, Or.) 1906-1942, 1915-12-03
KLAMATH FALLa. OREGON
FRIDAY. DECEMBER 8, 1918
REPUBLICAN AID NECESSARY

HE FIRST conspicuous volunteer
j to report to Mr.. Bryan's camT
for the fight on the presidents pro
|posals for preparedness Is Congress-
| man Kitchin Of North Carolina.
4 Mr.. Kitchin IL the ranking member
of the house committee ON ways and
means. He viii be chairman OF that
committee in the next congress, and
as such will succeed Mr.. Underwood
as floor leader Of the democrats. He
has never been an ultra-enthusiastic
supporter Of the presidents policies.
He was one of the nineteen democrat
Representatives who voted against the
ship purchase bill. and his relations
with the little coterie OF cabinet ON
GERS who have assumed to speak for
the administration have never been
unruly intimate. His brother. ex-
Governor Kitchin, wants to be SEN
ator from North Carolina in success
ision to Senator Simmons. but the
White House favors Simmons-and
this does not contribute greatly to
CONGRESSMAN c Kitchin's zeal for Will
lsonism.
In addition. Mr.. kitchin will have
to father the revenue bills which wiz
pay for preparedness. He Il radical
in his views Of protection; he II, in
fact, about a. close to . free trader
as We have In public life. And he u
by no means enamored OF the talk
favorable to q continuance Of the duty
on sugar. Naturally, too. he dislikes
to have his name linked up with q
measure providing for an issue Of
bonds. Yet he sees these necessities
staring him In the face. and newt
Gble II any considerable measure Of
preparedness II adopted.
Consequently by conviction, through
political alignment and because Of
personal pride Of opinion. .Ar. Kit
chin's opposition to enlarged expendi-
tures for defense IL logical and nat
ural. His refusal to Join the presi-
dent is q serious matter.
Both Mr.. Kitchin and the admins
tration will seek to soften the force
of the blow by declaring that the
North Carolinian l. acting on his IN
dividual responsibility. and not - the
democratic leader Of the house. This
may be true; but it is intimated here
that the president must bs weakened
indeed before congress II he cannst
carry his door leader with him ON
policy which has such nationwide
support a. preparedness has.
This. in fact. IL the case. The pres
ident will not dominate the situation
this winter - he has hitherto done.
In 1914 the democrats in congress
were all candidates for reelection,
while tho president had two clear
years ahead Of him. The Fepresenta-
tives then needed him. while he was
Independent Of them.
Now they are all In the same boat to-
gether. They are all trying 70 hold
their places. The president must play
the game Of congreasmen, instead Of
asking congressman to play his game
Only.
30 far as the defence program u
nothing can be done by
the president and his party alone.
Republican votes will be necessary.
votes will be supplied.
but It 10 most unlikely that they will
be forthcoming merely to ratify al
plan which has been devised BY the
president and his democratic political
Mr.. Kitchin. for instance. objects
specially to the naval side Of the
residents plan. It d probably that |
epublicans also will object to II. Mr.. |
Kitchen objects because he 10 . con-
istant little navy advocate. Re-
ublicans will object because tho
Ian. az now outlined. lacks the sup
ort OF the naval experts whose opin-
IN ts entitled to the grsa&sst consid-
ration. !,
The republicans In congress do mt
sgard Josephus Daniels Views -
ltitled to larger weight than those
the general board Of the navy, and
10y Will probably decline 70 follow
r. Daniels in preference TO Admiral
Bwty.
In short. II the defence program
uet be nut through BY ropub1ican