The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1916-01-06

be reasonably and adequately pre-
pared but this proposed doubling uE
process would constitute menace
to our own country and the coun-
tries of the world. Neither can l re-
sist the conclusion that preparedness
I failed to protect the peace of Eu-
rope, also that the best prepared coun
try like the best prepared individual,
becomes the most belligerent.
Navy Now Second.
maintain that four navy ranks
second among the world powers. In
the hearing before the committee on
naval affairs last year scarcely any
one favored larger navy TIM Eng
lnd's. Admiral Fletcher declared
our navy to be second. Capt. Winter
halter admitted that we occupied
second place. Admiral Badger said
that it had been proved that our
navy was superior to that of the Ger
mans.
General Witherspoon, member
of the committee, upon the floor of
the House, in comparison between
the American and German navies,
analyzed every known test and de-
clared that our navy was second, and
no Gardner or Hobson disputed him.
Majority Leader kitchin declares
that our navy is unquestionably sec
ond in rank. A year ago President
Wilson said, The country has been
We have not been neg
ligent of national defense.'
Building Nine Dreadnaughts.
At this time there have been au-
thorized Or are in various stages or
construction, nine dreadnaughts,
thirty-nine submarineg. seventeen
destroyers and number of auxiliar-
les. Before the European war we
were annually eNpending on our navy
about twenty-five million dollars
more than any other nation, except
Great Britain, was eXpending on its
navy.
Since the European war began
Germany has lost a great number of |
her war vessels. If we do not rank
second in strength now, the usual in
crease, under ordinary appropriation,
coupled with the fact that the Euro-i
pean countries are rapidly being i'm
poverished, will soon give us a good
second place. Our people ought to
De content if our navy is inferior only
10 that of England.
Against Big Army.
II do not favor the continental
army scheme of four hundred thous-
and men in addition to our regular
army. Yet in view of our insular
possessions l favor a reasonable and
adequate increase of our army and |
navy, but not any very large increase
and nothing like the administration
program. shall gain all the inform
alton possible on the subject and |
give my best judgment as to what |
Will constitute reasonable and ade-
luate defense for our country.
$so,oo0.00O Wasted Annually.
1T is estimated that eighty mill
ion dollars per year is actually
wasted in the army and navy activ-
ties. We are maintaining about fifty
'rmy posts. Many of them are obso-
etc and located in inaccessible places
'orty OF them ought to be discontin-
led. plan of Capitalization would
save millions of dollars in operat-
ng expenses yearly.
We have too many navy yards.
they too, in many instances, are OBJ
iolete and located at inaccessible
places. The navy vessels can not get
o some of them because of shallow
water The policy of Capitalization
should also be adopted for the navy
ards. Individual greed should give
way to national welfare.
Too Many Retired Officers.
we have too many retired Off
'ers in the army and navy attached
20 the payrolls More than one-third
Of the army officers are constantly
,ff duty.
Neither can avoid the conclusion
hat the steel trust, the powder trust.
he armor plate trust and the am
trust are using every effort
% create military policy in order
hat they may enjoy their millions
n profits and sales.
Should Make Its Supplies.
The government should maintain
It's arsenals, manufacture its steel
plate, guns and ammunition and
ouild its ships and quit paying two
prices to those who combine to rob
is. The government can manufacture
armor plate at $23S per ton while
we are now paying S440 per ton to
The private manufacturers.
1--WE built the Panama canal by
day labor and can save millions of
dollars every year by taking over
these military activities. Our policy
should be to get dollar for dollar
for our money, more efficiency, bet
ter system, better management and
avoiding all waste. If those who
clamor for big expenditures would
turn their attention to eliminating
waste we could easily increase the
efficiency of our army and navy with
but little if any increase in approp-
ration
&C. H. DILLON.
Congressman First District.