The Birmingham age-herald., 1916-07-20
Charges That Men Were Forced to March in Pa
 rades From Fear
BUILDING PROGRAMME
 IS ADDING BIG LOAD
Wisconsin Senator Thinks Navy Plenty Large at Present-Attacked News papers, Charging They Aided
 Propaganda for Price

Washington, July 19.-An attack by Senator LaFollette on the general pre- paredness programme as the product of agitation by moneyed interests, aid- | ed by the metropolitan press, prevented a final vote In the Senate today on the 1 naval bill. The Wisconsin senator had not completed his speech when the Senate adjourned tonight and did not indicate how long he planned to con- tinue. The general belief, however, was that vote would be reached to- morrow. Most of today was taken up with an unsuccessful fight by Senators Oliver and Penrose on the, section of the bill providing for $11 900, 900 government armor plate plant. By vote of 51 to IT., the Senate defeated a motion to strike out the section and then voted down. 19 to 16, the Oliver amendment to re- fer the armor controversy to the fed eral trade commission for settlement
 Senator LaFollette contended vigor- ously that neither conditions confront ing the nation nor the testimony given before the congressional naval com mittee warranted the proposed navy in- creases.
 "A total of $S44,00O,O0 is the load that goes on the pended backs of the American people" he declared. "Why is this to be done? If it is necessary now, why was it not necessary four years ago? You knew then what was the naval and military strength of all of the foreign countries. But the inter- estS had haan qnnaa1ad fo Bethlehem Steel at 40 was not Beth lehem Steel at $40. The interests be- hind this preparedness plan do not fear Germany or England. The plan merely fits into their imperialistic schemes"
 The senator charged that men had been forced into preparedness parades under threats of having their wages reduced. Workingmen in Washington he said had told him they marched in the demonstration here for that req son. The larger newspapers of the country, he declared, were influenced by the advertising of the "interests'' behind the preparedness propaganda, to devote most space to the testimony of witnesses before the congressional committees who favored preparedness.
 "A cheap skate of a business man can get a column and half on the front page if he will boost prepared ness" he shouted, but General Wea- yer. who speaks against it, cannot get q line. These newspapers sell their editorial good will along with their advertising. It costs something to say that, but for some years I have stood ready to pay the price,
 Senator LaFollette quoted voluni- nously from reports of the committee hearings to prove that the navy is in better shape than preparedness advo- cates make it appear. He insisted that it is stronger than Germany's navy, and pointed out that Germany, with a navy about half as large as Englands, had been able to prevent an invasion of her territory.
 Senators Oliver and Penrose. speak, ing. against the armor plate plan pro- posal, insisted that it simply would mean waste of money now that the Bethlehem Steel company had offered to furnish plate at price to be set by the federal trade commission.
 Tt would be little less than crin- inal to spend the amount proposed for plant at this time," Senator Oliver de- clared.