The Alaska citizen., 1916-03-20
.DOINGS AT
 WASHINGTON
URGING PREPAREDNESS.

the senate this afternoon on the question of preparedness, urging his colleagues to drop all other legis- lation for the time being in order to give their undivided attention to the admnstraton program of pro viding adequate defenses for the na- tion. Borah contended that the Mexican situation made it impera- tive to take action at once. IS IN A FURRY. WASHINGTON, D. C., Mar. IA President Wilson and Lemuel r. Padgett, of Tennessee. chairman Of the house committee on Naval af- fairs, were in consultation for a long time this morning.
 It Is said that the President was urging the representative to hurry along the action on the naval bill, OPPOSING BRANDEIs. WASHINGTON, D. C., Mar 14.- Seven former presidents of the American Ba- association, including William Howard Taft, Senator RooI and Joseph Ii. Choate, have entered protest with the judiciary sub committee Of the senate against the confirmation of Louis D. Bran deis as a member of the supreme court of the United States, The Boston attorney is branded as per sCn unfit to occupy such a respon- sible position.
 OPPOSES PREPAREDNESS WASHINGTON, D. C., Mar. 14.-- Allen Benson, a socialist of New York, appeared before the house naval committee today in opposition to the preparedness program Of
 President Wilson. He criticised the plans of the President in such blunt terms that his presence be- l fore the committee was cut short and after his departure, his re- marks were ordered eXpunged from 1 the records.
 FULL DATA WANTED. l WASHINGTON D. C., Mar. H. l There is the probability that Prest | dent Wilson will be authorized by congress to bring the United States army up to full war strength. A | resolution giving the executive pow
 CT to act was passed by the lower house this afternoon and similar action will be taken by the senate 1 before the end of the present week, |
 one dissenting voice when the roll
 was called today.
 CAN BUILD THEM FAST. WASHINGTON, D. C., Mar. 15.- ! Addressing thc members of the house naval committee today, in re- 1 5pcnse to an invitation to appear
 before that Dtdy, Thomas A. Edison
 expressed the belief that it would
 be possible for the government, with
 fully equipped federal plant, to
 construct the machine parts of sub
 marines sufficiently rapid to equip
 one diver every fifteen days. OFFICES OPENED NEW YORK March 15.--The co1h-
 mi:tee on industrial preparedness of the naval consulting board has op- ened permanent offices in this city. WANT BIG ARMY. ] WASHINGTON, D. C., Mar. 15.-- 1 There is an overwhelming sentiment
 among the members of the senate ! in favor of recruiting the army to l full strength immediately. This was i very much in evidence today when | the upper house of congress unani-
 mcusly approved the joint resolu-
 ton providing for an increase of twenty thousand men. The same
 resolution was passed by the house
 with only one dissenting voice.
 ARMY BILL SIGNED.
 WASHINGTON, D. C., Mar IT, | The joint resolution providing for
 the immediate increase in the army l to it's full strength which was
 passed by both houses of congress
 this week was signed by the Presi- dent this altHrnoOn.
 PRICE IS TOO HIGH. WASHINGTON. D. C., Mar 16.--
 The steady advance in the price Of
 gasoline and other byproducts of the oil wells is arousing the ire of many members of congress. who l declare that the present prices are unwarranted Congressman Charles H. Randall, ci California, Is fram- | ing resolution which he will in- troduce at an early date, providing | for government ownership of all oil wells Government control Is regarded as the only remedy for the price evil.
 NAVY YARD BILL PASSES. WASHINGTON, D. c, Mar 16.-
 The bill introduced by Senator Miles Poindexter, providing for the en- l largement of the Puget Sound navy yards and the installation of equip met for the constructio of battle ships, was passed by the senate today, practically without debate. WILL RETAIN TARIFF. WASHINGTON, D. C.. Mar. 16- The administration bill, providing for the retention of the present tar Tiff of one cent pound on sugar imported into the United States, . was passed by the lower house of congress this afternoon by sweep ing majority. It Is predicted that similar action will be taken by the senate.
 HEARING oVER WASHINGTON, D. C., Mar. 16.-- The Brandels hearing, which has been in progress for more than month before the judiciary subcom- mittee of the senate, was brought to a close today definite announce ment having been made by the com mitteemen that no further testi- mony would pc heard. The hearing was reopened several days ago by special request.
 ARMY BILL UP.
 WASHINGTON, D. C.. Mar. 16.- The administration army bill, pro viding for big increase in the fighting strength of the American war machine, has been given the right of way over all legislation in the lower house of congress. The measure was taken up for cOnSid-