The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-02-08

blythe six months now spent in draw
ing plans"
Men hesitate" replied Representa-
tive Butler. because improvements are
being made every year. 1t Is now I'M
derstood that the English, and even
the Germans propose to put on their
battleships 17-inch guns. and we have
14-inch guns on ours. What shall We
do?"
Put on our battleships 1T-inch
guns" replied the speaker promptly.
Put the biggest gun that Is obtain
able or that ever was obtainable on
every one of these battleships we
build"
"speea Up" Says Mann.
Republican Leader Mann, a moment
later called on the House to hasten
preparedness legislation. He said:
II do not think that l am very hys-
terical. / have found that my main
trouble in life was caused by my be-
ing too coldbiooded. I believe that
ditions in the world which ought to
cause the United States to put itself
in a condition where IL can defend it's
shores. its people and it's property.
Now that the emergency Is seen
by the President of the United States
and his administration / have no doubt
that there will be speeding up as to
the ships already authorized. In my
opinion this fs not the time for crini-
nation of recrimination. 1t Is not the
time to ind fauld with that which has
been. It is the time for all who fore
see what may come to joint hands In
preparedness for that which may come.
1t Is easy to find fault. other people
find fault with us.
Believes In President.
II believe the President of the
United States is thoroughly sincere
In the utterances which he has made
and In the foresight which he has
gained as to the possibilities of the
future, and that we, represented as
we are by the President in our for
eign affairs. ought to aid him in pre-
pairing the country for trouble. which
we all hope will not come, but which
may still come in spite of us. / think
our distinguished Committee on Naval
Affairs may well speed up. along with
other things. and the sooner we have
a bill from that committee which
will authorize additions to the navy.
the better off the country will be In
these matters we may well speed up.
not only the executive and admins
trative branches of the government,
am not in favor of war. I believe
In maintaining peace, but I am for
making such preparations as will en-
able US to defend ourselves against
any foreign nation"
Uncle Joe" Cannon later Joined
In the debate. He interrupted free
for-all argument over the respective
merits OF private shipyards and gov
eminent yards for battleship construc-
ton to say:
1T seems, so far az we can ascer-
tain. that as an insurance policy or
for defense the emergency-demand
action IL no whore"
THAT Is for Congress 60 determine"
INTERCEPTED Representative Padgett,
chairman of the Naval Affairs Com
mittee.
'T stand ready to vote for the in
crease OF both navy and army" said
Uncle Joe" "If there is no neces-
sity for hasty action, well and good
The Interrogation point Is in the
minds Of many people OF this country
whether this means actual non partt-
san preparation under the leadership
| of the Committee on Military Affairs
and the Committee on Naval Affairs or
whether 1t is a good enough morgan
for the next six months. I do not
| intend to criticize the President or
anybody else hut as AN American citi-
zen l am anxious about this matter"
Representative Fitzgerald. of New
York, jumped In.
IF the gentleman says he does not
intend that as criticism. does he
compliment" he demanded with