The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-07-25

ARMY anu NAVY Wohlu FIaNt DSSH
Called Light Headed, Yet 1t Has Come
About Because OF European War.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, July 25.-tSpecial r.
Before the beginning Of the present
session OF congress any one predict
Ing that half a billion dollars would bp
spent for increases In military prepare
ton would have been set down as
light headed or, at least. a visionary.
And yet II appears from estimates of
bills to pass and those already passed
that $500, 100000 is the cost OF the
alarm which this country has felt IN
account OF the fighting I'm Europe.
Men who talk about the immense
sum, which is just a beginning. as flu
ture appropriations Will continue at the
same ratio. seem TO really believe that
the United States Is In great danger.
Not all OF them, for quite "A number
have TODD up In congress and de
nounced the war scare as hysteria and
asserted that the country has one mad
81 the subject OF military preparation.
Wilson'S influence Felt.
Much OF the sentiment in the country
and the acqulescence OF congress has
been due TO the attitude OF President
Wilson. When he delivered his mes
sage to congress In December, 1914,
and said hat tho war scare was Hb-
surd and that people were nervous and
r-w4ell A. 4n.n. 4Ba IA Apt aWruu
military expansion. Congress appro-
priated only the usual sums for the
army and navy.
A year later when President Wilson
tool the other course and demanded
ample war preparation, backing IL up
with a tour of the country I'm which he
asserted there was great danger, he
completely reversed the sentiment i'm
his party and compelled the great
appropriations which have been made
at this session.
Limiting Advertising.
The house OF representatives has
passed a bin limiting the amount of
money a candidate for the senate or
house may spend for campaign pur-
poses. In this bin is a provision TAX
ing Off the limit for travelling, tele-
graphing, telephoning, postage, station
cry. writing and printing other than I'm
newspapers. 1t means that a candi-
date can spend any moun for all
purposes except advertising and print
Ing I'm newspapers.
What justice Is there I'm saying that
a mar cannot give publicity TO his is
sues and PLATFORM asked Congress-
man Chiperfield OF Illinois when dis
cussing this provision. You cannot
corrupt the electorate by appealing to
their intelligence"
Leaders In "Confabulation."
There had been a long discussion be
tween the majority and minority lead
ers over a proposition TO have three
day a~djournments OF the house. Final.
ly Cooper of Wisconsin came I'm and
wanted to know what was going on.
1.-THE gentleman from North Caro-
lima. Mr.. Kitchin, and the gentleman
from Illinois, Mr.. Mann, have been
having a confabulation for some time
replied Speaker Clark.
II would like TO know what the gen
tleman from North Carolina said" re
marked Cooper.
"The Lord only knows" responded
kitchin; I'VE have been mixing 1t up"
But out of such mixing" and "con-
fabulations' they finally got an agree
ment which allowed members to go
home and look after political fences.
Vel Managed Bill.
Senators and others have been hand
Ing bouquets to Senator Swanson of
Virginia for the admirable manner I'm
which he handled the naval appropria-
ton bill. This measure, the most i'm
portant that has eve been passed for
the navy, was put through without ap-
parently little effort and I'm a compare.
lively short time. Considering the
magnitude of the measure In money.
the increase of ships and officers and
men, 1t is surprising hat the bill went
through with so little trouble.
Reading a Speech.
Senator Vardaman Of Mississippi
made a rather remarkable speech In
the senate, but he read 1t. and no one
paid attention. On the same day
Borah Of Idaho made his remarkable
speech and spoke as If from inspira-
ton, although any one could see that
he had carefully prepared himself.
Borah had much attention. In fact, he
was warmly congratulated by many
senators on both sides when he con
cluded. Vardaman can make a fine
extemporaneous speech when he is so
inclined.
Joe Dixon May Run.