The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-01-27
President by His Speaking
Tour Hopes to Counterfeit II.
ROOSEVELT TO FOLLOW SUIT
Interesting Spectacle to See These
Three Americans Speaking to the
People on the Same Subject-Un-
usual Action For a President to Take,
but Wilson Does the Unusual Things.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

BY ARTHUR W.. DUNN.
Washington, Jan. ~. - Especial J.
Bryan and the men who are support
ing his anti-pyeparedness program are
making some Roadway In the country.
The president finds 1t necessary to 20
out and make speeches to counteract
this sentiment, which appears to be
growing.
Now, If the report Is true that Roose-
welt will also go out making speeches.
with Bryan sandwiched I'm between the
president and the colonel, 1t will GER
tainiy be an interesting spectacle.
1t will be rather unusual to see a
president go forth and defend his poll
cies and seek to arouse public senti-
ment to carry through his program in
congress-, but President Wilson il Civ
IN to doing unusual things, which he
says are almost always the obvious
things to do.
Republican Support Assured.
Many claim that Republican support
Is assured for the preparedness pro-
gram, but 1t Is doubtful Ii that sup
port will be forthcoming unless some
concessions are made to the desires of
the Republicans as to the kind of mill
tary and naval preparation which shall
be formulated and passed. So far 1t
appears that few Republicans are able
to agree to the plans OF the presidents
supporters. Altogether IL IL quite an
interesting situation.
For a United States Monopoly.
1t Is possible that the United States
will authorize an armor plant to man
ufacture armor for the navy, and II is
quite likely that 1t will go so far as to
build a munitions plant for war ma
terials of other kinds. There is quite
a growing sentiment I'm favor Of this
proposition by those who believe that
much OF the preparedness talk has
been manufactured by owners of mu-
milton plants and other concerns which
supply war materials.
The "Pistoi Totin' BILL"
Senator Shields OF Tennessee has this
year introduced the ''pistol totin' BILL"
as the measure is known. 1t prohibits
the carrying and selling OF small arms
and other weapons. The bill makes Its
appearance regularly every session. but
there is just n little bit more behind 1t
this year than before because there IL
a prejudice against the manufacturers
Of pistols and killing machinery of 9th
CIR kinds.
People or the Flag.
When Congressman London made
his speech in the house recently and
defended Socialism and denounced
war he was asked what the Socialists
would do IL the flag was attacked.
Nothing" he replied, ''for 1t is but
an emblem. But IL the people Of this
country are attacked Socialists will
fight to defend the people"
He was cross questioned ut some
length, but stuck to his position, In
sisting that the flag could not feel an
insult or an injury. but that people
could.
An Erstwhile Progressive.
Senator Poindexter of Washington,
an erstwhile Progressive, who follow
ed Roosevelt four years ago, made one
Of the strongest Republican speeches
that has been heard I'm the senate this
session. He defended the Republican
policy in the Philippines and insisted
that this country should not surrender
the islands and turn them over to a
small group OF Filipinos and leave
them a prey to some foreign govern
ment. No doubt Poindexter voiced the
sentiment of his state. Senator Lewis
told me that when he was a resident
OF Washington state he was defeated
for reelection to the house because he
took the position that the United
States should not hold the islands.
One OF the interesting features OF
Poindexters speech was the manner
In which he turned over the Democrat
ic platforms and claimed that the In
dependence Of the Philippines had
been fought over in several campaigns
and the people had positively settled
the question i'm favor of retention of
the islands.
Two Military Academies.
Senator Smoot of Utah has intro
duced a bill for a military academy at
Fort Douglas. which is just a little
way from Salt Lake City. Senator
Shafroth has introduced a bill for a
military academy at Fort Logan.
which Is near Denver. Both of these
senators are earnest economists. Both
have fought large appropriations, but
local feeling is too strong for them.
They are both aware that the program
OF. the war department Is to abandon
both Of those military posts. and SO
they take occasion to have them made
use OF for another military academy.
There is considerable talk among mill
tary men Of another academy. because
1t Is said West Point will not accom-
mOdate all the cadets which II Is nec-