Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-05-19
NITRATE PLANT PLAN,
CARRIED IN ARMY BILL,
IS ASSAILED IN SENATE
Senator HardwiCk Asserts It
Is Most SociaIiStiC LegiSla-
ton He Has Seen Proposed
in Fifteen Years


WASHINGTON. May Ian attacA
On che provision Of the army recrgani@a-
lion bill for a government nitrate plant
today delayed adoption OF the conference
report on the measure in the senate.
Senator Hardwick LED the fight and was
supported by Senator Lodge, while SEN
ator Underwood defended the provision
Senator Hardwick declared the provi-
sion did not make IL clear whether the
government was TO manufacture nitrates
for commercial sale as well as govern
mental use in making war munitions,
out expressed the belief that II was
substantially the proposition OF Senator
smith. Of South Caroline, designed 10
furnish fertilizer for farmers senator
smith replied that the changes made In
the house 10 his proposal were imIna-
tsrial
Then 7 warn the senate that this is
dangerous legislation" said Senator
Hardwick 1T Is the most socialistic
and paternaI have seen adopted IN the
Is wears I have been in congress
Senator Underwood asserted that 10
furnish an adequate supply OF nitrate IN
time OF war it had been necessary 10
provide n plant only one-tenth or whose
product would be needed by the govern
r,snt IN time OF peace. The other nine
tenthS. he said. would De sold by the
president for fertilizer
LODGE SCORES HOUSE
Senator Lodge denounced the action
OF the house IN cutting down the size
or the regular army.
With not a soldier left on the At
Iantic coast and from Maine 10 Fortress
1IourOe-today they l.e taking the coast
artiIIery-and the Pacific coast IN TIE
same condftfOn-au To take care OF the
little trouble in Mexico" said Senator
Lodge
TT seems to me practically incredible
that every branch Of cOngress should
be willing TO put s20.0OO.0oe into
nitrate plant at Muscle Shoals or some
other place and not be willing 10 give
the country soldiers enough for its i'm
mediate defense against troubles so
trivial as confront Us on the border
Senator Lodge said that he believed
the senate cUnferees S0uld not have got
more, as ne thought the original plan
OF those in che house was 10 do absc-
-lutely nothing.
Senator's Fan and Smith. OF Arizona,
declared the Mexican border was not
properly patrolled-
senator William Alden Smith said a
current report that the war department
had received advance information OF the
massacre AT Columbus. y. NJ. and had
not taken proper steps TO prevent it.
should be investigated Senator Fall
agreed. ne said. tn2t the war Depart
ment should be Intercepted on the sub
ject and said he intended TO address the
senate soon on that subject
Senator Borah also attacked the
measure and declared that a more ef-
ficient. effective, well organized lobby
never had appeared in Washington than
that headed by a major general of a
state militia. who sat in the gallery
while the bill was in the senate.
II propose TO shoR if that major gen.
sral had been really interested in the
nations defense, he would have been at
home putting his militia in a position
to defend his country" said Senator
BOrah.
He then read a report of the war de-
partment. dated April 20. 1916. recon-
mending withdrawal OF federal recog-
milton OF certain Florida companies for
inefficiency. loss of property. poor rat
ing and lack OF records