The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-08-30
Administration Military Programme

Administration Military Programme President Wilson, since returning to Washington from his vacation, has held several conferences with Secre- tary of War Garrison and Secretary of the Navy Daniels for the purpose of informing himself thoroughly on the natiinal defense situation with view of formulating a definite military programme to be recommended to Congress for adoption.
 It is known that the administration will urge Congress to increase the army and navy, but to what extent is vet undetermined; nor will the Presi- dent shape his programme until he has had an opportunity of comforting with the chairmen of the military and naval committees of both the House and Senate. He has intimated that just as soon as the administrators mili- 
 tary policy is fully worked out the de- tails will be given to the press in order that the public may discuss the plans and express it's opinion touching this important matter before Congress meets. It may be assumed that thoughtful, patriotic citizens-all who are not ob- sessed with the peace-at-any-price idea--will indorse any reasonable measure seeking an improvement in our military establishment.
 When the Arabic was torpedoed 1t looked as if the administration might have to sever diplomatic relations with Germany and call Congress together. But the crisis was soon passed and there is no cause now to think that Congress will convene until it's reg ular time in December.
 Certain papers are "agitating" for an extra session so that the adminis- tration's national defense recommen- dations may be considered without de- lay; but the calling of Congress into session when there is no special need for it would be worse than folly. It would be extremely disquieting from a business point of view and the Pres ident can be depended upon to do nothing so unwse. In discussing the question the New York Journal of Commerce says in part!
 The advocates of military prepared ness seem to assume that work de- signed to strengthen the defenses of the nation must also wait upon the summoning of Congress and that no progress can be made meanwhile. This Is a fundamental mistake. Plans of an effective character must first be developed-a satifactory pro- gramme mapped out. To do this work in advance of the beginning of session of Congress is essential to any early beneficial result. Such plans cannot well be framed in the legis- lative body but only considered, modi- fled and acted upon Not only plan ming but an immense amount of actual preparatory and preliminary work can and must be done before any pro- posal is submitted to Congress with a view to further provision of funds.
 Were a session to be summoned to- Aax hex-
 pletion of these preparations, or pro
 ceed without the laying of any proper foundations. has too often been the practice with legislation in the past.
 There are a good many general req sons of a cogent nature why Con- gress should not now be summoned
 The corning session will undoubtedly see an unusual amount of contro- versy over important economic and
 fiscal questions affecting the coun-
 try's domestic interests profoundly.
 It is not ell to begin debating these until the whole situation is as clearly mapped ont in the public mind as may
 be and until current opinion has
 thoroughly manifested itself Opinion
 has changed rapidly of late. It is prOhaDle ti.dt the actlon ol congress pn number of important issues, had 1t been taken three months ago, would
 have been quite different from the course that would be pursued today, while the latter would doubtless vary
 widely from the plans that may com
 mend themselves three months from now. That the President recognizes the facts in the case is clearly showr by his failure thus far to summon
 Congress in spite of the agitation here