The Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1912-1917, 1916-01-18
THIS SHOULD PEEVE YOU.
The social scientists have formed an
Ichtyhophgous club.
WASHINGTON LETTER.

official New Year greeting adopted by
the democratic administration. The
legislation proposed, including as 1t
does comprehensive plan for greatly
increasing army and navy appropri-
atoms, is regarded by many as the
most important ever undertaken in
this country.
Yet in spite of this, administration
leaders propose to close to congress
one of the most important sources OF
information bearing upon national
defense. Orders have been issued
that army officers with views upon
national preparedness must refrain
from discussing them with or before
members of the military committees
of the house and senate.
If the administration program of
preparedness is for defense of the
country and not defense of the demo-
cratic party at the 1916 polls, this
order muzzling the officers of the
army, especially those of the general
staff, must be regarded as a grave
error.
IlcDl C5SlILdtisC L>otiils VI NiS 1870
tary affairs committee, regards the
matter in a very serious light.
Accurate information is the one
essential for the intelligent enactment
of any legislation" said the California
representative. ut is doubly import
ant in the consideration of the. pro-
posed national defense program, deal
oI fo
ton for the homes of our people, their
industries, and the honor of our flag
and our country. esy.a 4
Administration leaders ought to be
the last, rather than the first, to him
der the legislative branch of our gov
eminent in securing facts that in any
way would aid in the passage of in
telligent laws for national defense"
Impotence over the secretive policy
of the administration is not confined
to members of the military affairs
committee Representative Miller of
Minnesota of the insular affairs COM
mittee, bitterly criticised the president
for suppressing information about
Philippine conditions. a et
AlueIICdH uOHOI 10 DIT StdhO III tuC
Philippines said Mr.. Miller. Dur
ing the terms of three former presi-
dents a splendid non-partisan govern
mental force was established. Presi-
dent Wilson wiped this out, substitute
ing inexperienced American and ma
tives. e.5
Gould we know the truth we would
learn of a government whose efficien-
cy is vastly reduced, under which
neither American sovereignty nor
American citizenship is decently re-
spected; one under which tens of
thousands have died from cholera be-
cause health safeguards were re-
moved; one under which an uprising
was started last year.
President Wilson and his officials
kept from Americans knowledge of the
real facts. Publicity! Not car up
on throne ever more completely kept
the truth from people,
1t makes no difference to some dem
ocrats whether the treasury deficit
is liz millions or 312 millions. 1t
makes no difference to them whether
preparedness is to cost SO millions or
a 1913 millions. 1t makes no differ
ence to them whether bonds are is
sued, the income tax increased, gaso-
line put under levy, or more stamp
taxes provided. No matter what hap
pens, some democrats want their pork.
The house committee on rivers and
harbors has democratic chairman,
Mr. Sparkman of Florida. The COM
mittee on public buildings and
grounds also has a democratic chair
man, Mr.. Clark, who likewise halls
from Florida. These two southern
democrats are meditating a. raid on
the treasury, Mr.. Sparkman to the,
tune of 120 Millions and Mr. Clark
for an unnamed total which may
amount to as much more.
They find many of their fellow dem
ocrats who will aid and abet them.
With a record for extravaganza made
by the last congress and recognizing
that the next election will sweep the
democratic party from power for a
generation, the democrats are plan
ming for one last grand plunge into
the treasury for the benefit of cross
roads southern hamlets which they
propose to adorn with handsome fed
eral buildings and for the benefit of
insignificant creeks in southern states
which they dream of making into use
full waterways at government expense.
Thus far no democratic voice Of
power has been raised against them.
The president has showed great in
genuity in suggesting new forms of
taxation 70 atone for the democratic
deficit in the treasury and to provide
money for q program of national de-
fence which he has reluctantly and
half-heartedly espoused. But the pres
ident has shown no courage in trying
to head off the pork-hunters as they
are stalking the agile appropriation
to its lair.
In the last congress the president
vetoed no bill to take money from the
treasury. The fight. to beat the rivers
and harbors bill received no encour-
agement from him; while he went the
whole distance in trying to soak the
treasury for so millions more to buy
a fleet of government-owned steam
ships. The rivers and harbors bill