Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1916-02-14
liberalization Plan

AS to national defense the resigna-
ton Of the secretary finally sealed the
fate of his continental army plan.
which chairmen of both House and
Senate military committees declared
could not have been accepted by Con-
sress. Work began a: once in prep
aration for framing a plan of fed
eralization of the National Guard tc
create reserve defensive force for
the nation Latent enthusiasm for
preparedness was aroused in scores OF
influential members of both branches
who had been opposed to the contl-
mental army plan and who had been
taking only a passive interest in the
defense program. Now these members
have put their shoulders to the wheel
and there is a prospect that an army
reorganization bill will be perfected
in the near future.
Drafting New Bill
Representative Hay. chairman OF the
House committee already is at work
drafting the House bill. eliminating
the continental army feature. Inc
Senate military committee having
concluded it's hearings will get down
To the task of framing its bill tomor-
row and Senator Chamberlain, the
chairman, proposes to confer WIN
members of the House committee as
the work progresses. Both committees
viii try to cooperate as much as pos
>ihlc
Evidence of the fact that Mr.. Car
rison's Withdrawal had served to &C.
ment the bonds of sympathy between
Congress and the President came IN the
abortion by the House military aHalrS
committee of a resolution thanking the
President for expression of commence
IN Congress disclosed in his cores
pondence with Mr.. Garrison.
Philippine Probabilities
With respect to the Philippine issue
the Garrison resignation has served to
enhance the chance of the Clarke
amendment to the self-government bill.
adopted by the Senate and providing
for complete Independence within four
wears. in spite of the Presidents own
opinion that such an amendment is
unwise at this time. Secretary Garrl-
son was bitterly opposed to the amend
ment. The House committee now has
the bill under consideration and con-
ferences with the executive have been
held on the subject tending to
strengthen the prospects for passage
Of the amendment. The insular affairs
committee now is expected to substi-
tute the Senate bill for its own with
few, if any. changes.
Treaties up This Week
In the Senate this week the Nicara-
guam and Columbian treaties will be
the principal subjects of interest. Rat
ifcation of the Nicaraguan treaty is
virtually assured and the vote may be
taken tomorrow. Senator Stone pro-
poses to call up the Haitien conven-
ton next and little opposition is ex-
pected The Colombian treaty. how
ever. will be bitterly opposed and adj
ministration senators themselves are
almost convinced that it cannot be
ratified in its present form.
The inquiry into the nomination Of
Louis D. Brandeis to the supreme
court will be resumed by the judiciary
subcommittee Tuesday with Mr..
Brandeis' connection with the United
Shoe Machinery Co. the particular
subject for investigation.
Rivers and Harbors
The annual fight over the rivers and har-
bors bill soon will be precipitated in the
House. The s4OoO0,OOO appropriation bill
for this session. already completed except
for possible inclusion of a single new
project that of 100000 for the East Riv-
err. New York. urged by President Wilson
in order to provide safe access to the
Brooklyn navy yard and an outlet between
the North River and Long Island sound
will be voted out of committee Tuesday
and the bill will be brought up in about a
fortnight to run the gauntlet of the House.
Many members propose to insist upon new
projects.
Continued on Page 4-coI. g.