The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-04-26
PREPAREDNESS
PATH TO PORK
Every Congressman Seeking to
Get Money For His District.
MILITIA FAvORITE ROUTE.
This 10 Why Larger Appropriations
For the Regular Army-LooaI Or
CARNATIONS Are Always Strong, In
fluentiaI Political Factors.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.

f%iuentiaI Political Factors.
BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, April 26.-GSpecial. i
"Tf the legislation which congress en-
acts for national defense tries TO make
an army out of the national guard and
makes only small provision for the reg
ular army the cause of the military or
ganization of the United States will be
set back twenty years"
That was a statement made by a
brigadier general several months ago,
when the discussion Of army increases
was confined largely to military men.
What he then anticipated has hap
pened.
The legislation for preparedness has
been largely for the militia. While in
creases have been made for the regu-
lar army, 1t has been the militia that
has received the greatest considera-
ton. That is natural. The militia is
the political end OF the army. The mi
litia is located In the different states.
AS an organization Ii is effective In
politics. The officers are generally
good politicians. They have known
how to be effective I'm securing the best
part of the army increase measure In
congress.
Cannot Be Helped.
And the regular army officers might
as well understand that this condition
cannot be helped. Although military
histories are full of statements show
ing that trained regulars are much SUI
perior to raw militia and every com
manding officer, from Washington
down, has shown the inadequacy of
unframed militia, no attention has been
paid to them. The militia has always
been the popular ~favorite In all times,
has had the good fortune to be further
and further advanced by legislation.
The militia always wins when congress
takes a vote.
Lewis Makes Deductions.
Senator Lewis of Illinois, himself
once a national guard officer, comes to
the defense OF the militia when occa-
sion offers. Recently he called atten-
ton TO the fact that Genera Funston
was a national guard officer, that Theo-
dore Roosevelt was a volunteer officer
who as the dashing leader OF the
rough riders advanced to the preslden-
cy, "and who today" added Lewis,
occupies a commanding place I'm the
Republican party"
what authority have you that
Roosevelt belongs to the Republican
party?' asked Ashurst of Arizona.
''The only information l have re-
sponded Lewis, lis that which we law
yers have respecting titles. When
ever property yields to every command
of a person we assume that he must
be the owner"
Definition Of Pork.
J.. Hampton Moore has SO often run
up against the assertion that he has
taken away a great deal of pork for
Philadelphia In river and harbor bills
that he felt called upon to define pork
in a long debate upon the floor of the
house Of representatives.
Pork" he said, 'is not hat which
you get for your own river or for your
particular hog cholera, but 1t is what
the other fellow gets for his"
He was having fun with those who
wanted appropriations for hog cholera
In the agricultural bill, but who had
been fighting with all their energy the
river and harbor bill.
What CIoture Would Do.
IF the senate should ever adopt
cloture," remarked a man I'm the gal
lery, 1T would take the interest out of
the debates. AS soon as an agreement
Is reached to vote on a bill, which IL a
form of ~cloture, all interest ceases
Senators go away and come back when
the vote is to be taken, just as hap.
pens in the house when a time limit is
fixed"
Power of Labor.
Backed by labor interests, the Who'll,
report Of the committee on industrial
relations is to be printed, includin.
testimony, pictures, etc. Quite a nun
Der Of senators opposed the printin,
on account of the expense, but the,
were not able to stem the tide. Their
was an organization in Washington al
the time which pounded away at tn
senate and brought a great deal Q
pressure to bear to force action. Th
labor interests can generally force ia
vOrable action In congress, particular
ly just before the elections.
Ought TO Be Convincing.
Senator Borah has said right alon
that he had no decisions nor Illusion
In regard to the presidency. He kney
that he was not going to be nominate
for president. But a lot Of people cor
tinued to talk about his lightning roc
Since his speeches on the nationa
guard and the bold manner In whicl
he has pointed out that the proposes
national guard legislation will work
detriment to the army, bringing dow
vigorous opposition upon him, people