The public ledger. [volume] (Maysville, Ky.) 1913-1968, 1916-01-04
NATIONAL DEFENSE
Congress To Tackle the Question
Revenue Measure and Pork
Barrel Bills Sizzling.


Washington, January AUST how
far the United States will go in the
matter of preparedness for national
defense is the problem that Senators
and Representatives are tackling this
week. Much has been written and
said from all angles and the subject
has been before the American people
for over year. There is a wide di-
vergence of opinion as to how far to
go; but the statesmen at the capital
are generally agreed that something
must be done. The shifting of a policy
of long standing, the sudden awaken
ing that danger turks despite the SUI
perficial joining of hands by nations
for universal peace, and the deter
mination of President Wilson that
America must prepare to assert itself
have the general endorsement of the
people.
The administration has put the soft
pedal on pork Darrell" appropria-
ton measures, but there is an insistent
demand from various localities that
they go through. and the attitude of a
number of Representatives may
threaten the defense measure. Chair
man Sparkman of the rivers and har-
bors committee is disposed to report
bill calling for at least $40, 100000.
Chairman Shackelford of the good
roads committee is introducing bill
appropriating $25,OOO,OOO more, and
the public buildings committee has de-
cided to go ahead with its omnibus
bill. The ways and means committee
Is in quandary regarding the means
OF raising revenues to meet even the
defense program and if the fifty to
one hundred millions additional is
voted, the revenues situation will be
seriously complicated, it is said.
1t is predicted that there will be
fairly clear sailing for the naval in
crease program recommended by Sec
rotary Daniels. These proposals will
undoubtedly be attacked as too mod.
crate, and the main argument ad-
Vanced against them may be the sug-
gestions of the naval general board,
which call for an increase some three
times as large as the administration
program. Many members of Congress
believe that practically all of the mon
ey to be voted for additional prepar-
edness should be spent on the navy.
and they base their belief on the show
ing of the British feet during the pres
ent European war. 1t is argued that,
with the United States occupying an
isolated position, a strong fleet would
prevent invasion from abroad and give
the nation plenty of time to recruit,
train and equip an army sufficiently
large for any eyentuality.
But the disagreement on the naval
appropriation will be insignificant in
comparison with that of the army. The
formation of continental army as
proposed by Secretary Garrison Is
very unpopular with both houses of
Congress. The proposal is criticized
by those who want strong standing
army by those who believe the plan
viii not work out by those who favor
this or that SCHEME for attaining
greater military efficiency, and by the
little army" men, Chairman Hay of
the house military committee has in
troduced bill that omits any pro-
vision for the continental army pro-
posed by Secretary Garrison. Gossip
has attributed disagreements to Sec
rotary Garrison and Representative
Hay that are cited as a cause for their
failure to work together.