Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-09-03
TAFT FOR PROPER
NATIONAL DEFENSE
Advocates Preparedness for War
and Details Means for Its
Accomplishment.
PROPOSES MODEST PROGRAM
Suggests Small Tax on Small In
comes to Help Provide
Necessary Funds.
PROPOSES MODEST PROGRAM


liam Howard Taft advocated prepared
ness for war and detailed means for
its accomplishment in an address TO-
day at the Panama Pacific Exposition
delivered at 'Taft-Day" exercises. In
ceremonies preceding the address Mr..
Taft. using the silver spade with which.
while President. he broke ground for
the exposition four years ago. planted
California redwood tree in Taft
Circle
He also reviewed portions OF the
United States Coast Artillery at the
Presidio of San Francisco a silver
loving cup. inscribed lin grateful re-
membrance Of his unfailing friendship
and the fulfillment of his confidence
that san Francisco knows how" was
presented TO him by the exposition Of
ilcials.
In beginning his address, Mr. Taft
declared Germany's acquiescence to the
United States contention for the rights
OF noncombatants on commercial liners
should be the cause Of profound re-
jotcing by every patriotic American
and the occasion for congratulation to
the President"
SHADOW OF SERIOUS
BREACH is PASSED
1t must relieve the strain between
the two countries. The shadow Of 4
serious breach passes" he continued
1T should not, however. lead our peo-
pie away from their duty of reasonable
preparation. The incident, though
closed. we all hope. except as to
indemnity for the lives OF those already
drowned. shows how near. as neutrals,
we are to the war. 1t shows that we
must be careful TO insist upon our
rights as such as that we ought to be
reasonably prepared to defend against
their invasion by any belligcrent
powers"
Summing up what he regarded as
necessary preparations. he said:
First. An increase OF our navy tom
mage as rapidly as possible by 80 per
cent and an immediate increase of the
personnel of the navy By nearly 10000
sailors and 900 officers.
Second. An increase in ammunition
for our great coast defense guns, the
making of few sixteen-inch guns and
the completion Of the defense of the
Chesapeake at Cape Henry. In addi-
tion. an increase of 10000 trained coast
artilierymen and 600 officers to man
the coast defenses properly
WOULD ADOPT REDUCED
TERM OF ENLISTMENT
Third An increase In our regular
mobile army of $4,000 troops and
quadruplinE of the supply OF educated
military Officers. We should also adopt
reduced term of enlistment with in
In
of trained men,"
The program 1 have proposed" he
continued. modest as it Is will increase
the annual total of the army and navy
appropriations by perhaps Sl50,OoO. 900
Tor each of three years and probably
more. This leaves S325. 100000 at least
of necessary income to be provided for
BY new legislation of Congress over
and above what existing law would
pi iobably produce. This could be partly
made up by the renewal of the war
tax and of the sugar tax, yielding, say,
Sl25'OOO.OOo. There would be left from
Sl5o.ooo.oo0 to 500. 100000 of deficit
still to be provided for, either by cut
ting down expenses or by additional
taxation"
Mr.. Taft suggested that expenses
could be cut down by giving authority
and responsibility to one body of men
to consider the whole field of govern
ment income and expenditure. He
added:
THE imposition of small tax on
small incomes asks a sacrifice from our
patriotic citizens that they will be
willing to make If our politicians have
the courage to impose it and explain
the imperative necessity. The payment
or tax. however small, makes a man
better citizen. To assume that tn.
plain people are unwilling to nav in.
creased taxes in case of national need
Is TO distrust them and to ascrlbe 10
them the lowest motive for political
action
WANTS TO EXCLUDE
POLITICS FROM QUESTION
Let us exclude politics from the
question of Preparedness Lot us ac-
cept the cost. Let us insist that Con-
gress and the administration manifest
the courage to incur the odium of un-
thinking and unpatriotic men who
would resent contributing to such a
cause. Let us insist that the Congress-
and the administration shall defer TO
the Judgment of real expert naval and
army officers and boards as to how we
should prepare and shall not allow the
dangerous little knowledge OF commit
tee chairmen and civilian politicians
Ignorant of our needs, to obstruct tho
work OF proper national defense"