Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1916-05-27
PROPAGANDA II
CHILD OF MUNITIONS MAKERS.
BY Congressman Clyde II. Tavenner

CHILD OF MUNITIONS MAKERS
BY Congressman Clyde II. Tavenner.
| (Reprinted from Congressional Record
of May 3, 1850
The present propaganda for excess
sive appropriations for the army and
navy is the child of the Navy league,
and the Navy league is and always has
been the child of armor and munitions
makers.
| If congress doubts it, why does not
| congress investigate the matter for
itself? Why not let in the light? Why
not? Why not turn the congression-
| al searchlight not only on the question
of whether the preparedness" agita-
| ton is the child of the munitions pat
riots, but on the riddle of what our
army and navy officials have been do
| ing with the s240,000000 OF the
peoples money that congress has been
appropriating annually for prepared
ness?" Why not turn on the light?
On Jan. 10, 1916, l introduced in
the house Of representatives resolu-
ton which, if adopted by congress,
will effectually turn on the light. 1t
will settle all uncertainties by allow
ing the facts to speak for themselves.
On the same day this resolution was
introduced the rules committee of the
house held hear ing on the subject
of an investigation. But up to this
time no investigation has been Or
dered. Or, stated in another way, an
investigation has not been permitted.
The resolution is known officially
as house joint resolution 112. 1t is
not know to the American people, how
ever, either by that number or any
other, for it is not known to them at
all, as resolutions Of this character
are not published generally by the
newspapers advocating big prepared
ness" appropriations. There are ex-
ceptions, of course, but as a general
rule the public is getting but one side
of the preparedness" issue. For the
benefit of those who insist upon hav-
ing both sides of the question, l will
insert here the resolution in full:
blouse joint resolution 112.-Intro-
duced by Representative Clyde H.
Tavenner, of Illinois, and referred to
the committee on rules.)
Whereas more than $1,000 900,
raised principally by taxing the things
that the people eat, wear, and use,
have been expended annually on the
army and navy, under the general as
sumption that in return for this colos-
sal expenditure the nation was being
reasonably prepared; and
Whereas it is now being generally
asserted in many quarters that the ma
ton is pitifully ''unprepared," the
specific charge having been made on
the floor of the house of representa-
tives by a member thereof, that eff
war were to break out today, it would
| be found that our coast defenses have
not sufficient ammunition for an hour S
| fight; and
| Whereas it has also been charged
in the congress that millions Of dol
| lars of public funds have been wasted
by the payment to private manufac-
turers, by army and navy officers, of
| from twenty to sixty per centum more
| for large quantities of army and navy
supplies than the same could have
been obtained for through their man
ufacture in government arsenals and
navy yards; and
| Whereas President Wilson, in mes
sage TO the congress on Dec. s, 1914,
said that, Like good stewards we
should so account for every dollar of
our appropriations as to make it per
| fectly evident what it was spent for
and In what way it was spent; and
| Whereas the profit incident to the
manufacture and sale of arms, arma-
ment, and munitions of war has ten
dency to corrupt public opinion, dis
turb international peace, and pre-
vent a peaceful settlement of disputes
between nations; and inasmuch as it
| ought to be made impossible for any
persons or corporation to make money
out of war; and inasmuch as the gov
eminent should for its own safety and
protection, manufacture all arms, ar
mament, and munitions of war for
! the equipment, construction, and use
of the army and navy, to the end that
| it may be independent of individuals
and corporate interests; and
| Whereas there has been public crit
icism of the action of ex-army and ex-
navy officers who after resigning or
retiring have taken employment with
concerns having dealings with the
government, and
Whereas it has been charged that
supposedly secret plans and designs
worked out by officers and employees
of the navy department at public ex7
pense for exclusive use in American
battleships were furnished to private
firm to be embodied in battleships for
another nation; and
| Whereas it has been charged that
! the Navy league, an organization &C
tive in agitating for increased naval
expenditures, has among its founders.
officers. members, and directors per-
| sons who are or have been officers, di-
rectors, or stockholders of war
! trafficking firms and concerns which
profit financially from government ap-
preparations for the army and navy;
and
Whereas sny or all Of the divers
matters heretofore mentioned may
bear on the alleged wasting of pub
lie funds and the alleged unprepared-
ness of our nation in spite of the
| enormous appropriations made by
| congress annually; and
Whereas it is deemed advisable to
gather the facts bearing on the afore-
said conditions and charges. or in any
way or manner relating thereto or to
any of the subjects above mentioned.
as basis for remedial and other leg.
| islative purposes: Therefore be it,