The Washington herald., 1915-01-08
THE OPEN FORUM.
Deplores Constant Advertisement of
Our Unpreparedness for War.

Editor of the Washington Herald: No
doubt large number OF other people in
this city and throughout the United
states have wondered at the representa-
tives Of our government in speaking so
frankly for publication concerning the
unpreparedness Of our country for war or
defense / fail to see the necessity for
writing So plainly, and perhaps erro-
neously, about the size of our army and
navy. and l think a little OF that par
ucular free speech would be better
done without. To what extent are the
so-called representatives speaking for the
welfare OF our country and to what ex-
tent Tor their own benefit? ! believe the
average conservative voter will be able
10 hgure out for himself the reasons why
his representative voices the fear of un-
PREPAREDNESS, especially now when the
matter Of army and naval appropriation
Is in consideration, and act in accord
ance with his sense Of justice in the next
election.
II there is good reason for voicing the
matter Of increasing the army and navy
for the country's protection, there is still
more reason why this matter should be
talked over only in the strictest secrecy.
and immediate arrangements for the re-
quired increase made. The people have
given their representatives the privilege
OF voting for them on important ques-
tlons. Let these representatives then
take full advantage of this privilege. and
act according to their honest belief in
secrecy. No good can come from a pub
llshed account of unpreparedness, but
such statements made continually prac-
tically invite warfare by the suggestion
that all a foreign nation would have to
do would be to come in and take pos
session. No country abroad would per-
nit such widespread advertisements of
unpreparedness at any time and GER
tainly not in these times. II the orators
will persist in spreading the fear. why
should the papers insist on printing it?
The Washington Herald has always
stood for the right, and I am hoping
that a campaign for supressing news of
what the government is doing in regard
to our army and navy will be taken up.
1t strikes me that a little Dragging
OF efficiency Of our army and navy would
be much better just now. and perhaps it
Is fully deserved. Mrs. II. L. W.
Editor Of The Washington Herald:
wish to call the attention and arouse
the interest of the members of Congress.
the District Commissioners. and the sub
urban taxpayer in the hog raising in
dustry. There are hundreds of poor peo-
pie living in the suburbs of Washington
who have every facility for raising a
few hogs and could do so advantage
ously il permitted to have garbage from
the city. These people pay excessive
taxes and could raise enough hogs to
pay their taxes and otherwise reduce the
high cost of living If they could get the
garbage
think it a great injustice to the tax
payers to stamp out so lucrative an in
dustry for the sake OF a few paltry dol
lars brought into the Golfers of the Dis
trict by the garbage contract. I hope
every citizens association and farmers
club will take this matter up and bring
II to the attention of the lawmakers
By amending or repeating the garbage
contract law this difficulty could be over
come and the little porkers in the near
future be seen thriving on all the hills
surrounding the city
OWED