The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1916-06-01

he was elevated to the SenatOrship
upon the retirement Of Senator w.
Murray Crane.
Washington, i'm company with his class
mate Stewart Of the Navy Library, he
met Uncle Joe Cannon. then Speaker
Of the House. "Is there anything I
can do for your said Uncle Joe. Stew
art. interposing. suggested that the
Speaker give the 'pl25e" Congressman
the Craftsmanship n q eosnmittee. Mr..
Cannon, of course, cid not DO this, but
he placed Weeks on the Ea2 king and
Currency Committee and the Commit
tee for Expenditures in tia State De
partment. During the year, the death
Of the Chairman of this latter Commit
tee and other committee chenSes. e1e-
waited Congressman Weeks to IT'S hea5
Now, Uncle Joe. reminlscing. points
to John Weeks as the only man lie
ever dared to give Committee Chair
manship during his first term.
Senator Weeks first speech in the
House was made in defense of his
naval alma mater at Annapolis. He
rose to answer a vicious attack on
Academy customs in one of the ear.
lier discussions of haEing. "Hazing",
said he, differs as widely as a West
Indian hurricane does from a gentle
summer zephyr. Ninety-tive per cent
Of the hazing at Annapolis is merely
collection of boyish pranks. Five per
cent of it is violent do not know
any man in the Navy. or cut of it. who
does not favor punshilg violent haz-
ing by dismissal from the Academy,
but | wish to say that to punish ordi.
nary haZing by dismissal is both un-
just and unfair"
Later, as member of the Naval AZ
fairs Committees of both House and
Senate. Mr.. Weeks has rendered in
valuable service by virtue of his naval
training and experience. Ii 1906
when Congressman Hepburn delivered
a most vehement dcnunciatiOn of the
officers of the Navy. it was Congress.
man Weeks who. after spending ten
weeks in preparation. answered the
charge that Naval officers enjoyed i'm.
munity from punishment for neglect of
duty, and answered it 50 completely
that Mr.. Hepburn was most effectively
'squelched."
Despite the effort Of the Wilson ad-
miniStratiOn to take the edge off the
preparedness issue. national defense is
to he foremost factor in the next ma
tiOnal campaign. and, as the months
pass, it looks as though the eventual
military policy of the country would
emphasize the Navy as the first line.
Senator Weeks. the only other pres.
! ent aspirant besides Roosevelt to serve
in the Spanish-American War, is not
without qualification in this connec-
ton. Moreover, the sailor candidate's g
attitude toward defense is without the
hysterical superlativeness which has
characterized the utteranceS of some
leaders in the national defense move.
ment.
A Major Generals Tribute.
Concerning national defense says
Senator Weeks, II believe Congress
should Immediately develop a plan
for the adequate protection of the ma
ton on land and at sea within reason
able cost to the Government This is
not the time to be niggardly in our ex.
penditureS for the protection of the
country, but neither is it the time, in
view of the condition of the Treasury,
to enter upon Il program that will call
for reckless expenditures.
I'VE haye never had a consistent
army or navy policy. This is due in
some degree to our political system.
The carrying on Of our military and
naval operations Is to such a degree
dependent on politics that we cannot
do, even under the best conditions,
what is done by our rivals on the other
side of the Atlantic. We have twice
as many navy yards as we need, and
they should be abolished without re-
gard to their location. But it won't be
done unless there is an Outcry from
the people demanding it, because the
local and political interests will be too
strong. We shall not get a definite
military and naval policy until we have
board of national defense which shall
be independent of political parties"
Perhaps the man among Senator
Weeks wide circle of friends and ac.
quaintanceS who Is best qualified to
pass upon the character and ability OF
the man is MajOr-General George Bar,
nett, who was for four years the Sen.
ator's roommate at Annapolis and who
has been his intimate friend ever since.
When you mention Weeks to the Gen.
eral, you are met with an outspoken
enthusiastic admiration which comes
straight from the heart Of the man
II knew John Weeks as farmer boy
l knew him as business man, and
know him now as distinguished mem
Der of the United States Senate" says
| Gen. Barnett. Throughout the years
Weeks has not changed. He has beer
always the same genial, equitable
warm tempered friend of all who knew
him. Frank and square he was as {
boy, and equally so has he been as &
| business man."
One phase of the Weeks candidacy
for presidential hOnOrs which seems tC
have escaped many thus far, is thai
aside from Mr.. Weeks impressive line
up of delegates from all parts of the
country, he is one of the most popular
men who has ever served in the House
or Senate from the Bay State. Nor i!
this popularity limited by present ol
recent congressional associations. Sine
he came TO the House in 1905, JOhl
Weeks has~beep making friends ant
friends that stick. They are scattered
all over the country, many of them will
attend the convention as delegates
Some will be pledged TO other candi
dates, But If the time comes wheI
Root or Burton or Fairbanks or Cum