New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-05-18
Hiram johnson
Makes Hot Reply
Californian Scores Missouri
Senator and Eulogizes
Former President


army bill. And seldom has there been
a more glowing eulogy Of the Colonel
than was painted by Senator Hiram
johnson, of California, Theodore Roose-
velt's running mate in 1912. in reply 10
Mr.. Stones attack.
Roosevelt is unfit to command said
Mr.. Stone, certainly unfit to command
a large body of troops. There is moth
ing in his training, experience or tenn
permanent to fit him for such COM
mand He led courageously at San
Juan Hill, but he got his men in bad
hole. from which they had to be res
cued from their imminent danger by
negro soldiers commanded by white
officers. He made plain on that occa-
sion his unftness even to command a
regiment.
Questions Colonies Purpose
This amendment gives him monop-
oily of opportunity. 1t is intended solely
to promote the personal ambitions and
fortunes OF Theodore Roosevelt.
"Do you think this man will yield
obedience 10 any superior officer II he
goes to France? To an officer, perhaps,
whose superior he was during the seven
and a half years he was in the White
House? Not unless he has undergone
a marvellous change, and there s no
evidence of that If he goes abroad We
will have reproduction of his part IN
the campaign in Cuba on larger and
more aggravated scale
Mr.. Stone charged across the SEN
ate aisle dividing the Democrats ana
Republicans and pounded first on the
desk of Senator Smoot and then on
that Of Senator Cummins, denouneing
the Colonel for touring the country
working up sentiment for the amend
ment which would permit him, and
him alone. to have the honor OF rais-
ing volunteer division.
"That's an example of the kind OF
discipline he may be expected to show,
he shouted. "He is fighting against
the commander-in-chief of the army
and navy now
Mr.. Stone paid his attention to
Senator Lodge. and others who voted
against the volunteer system, but for
the Roosevelt amendment
would Senator Lodge have sup
ported that amendment had It been
intended that General Scott should
raise a division of volunteers, or Gem
eral Pershing, or anyone else than
Theodore Roosevelt" he demanded.
mo, can tell you just what Mr..
Lodge would have said
Mr.. Stone then said Mr.. Lodge would
have deplored the impossibility of
making exceptions to the selective
draft principle. But when Colonel
Roosevelt spoke, Immediately Mr..
Lodge obeyed, he declared.
johnson Answers Stone
81 beg that the Senator from Mis-
souri, will not leave for moment"
began Senator Johnson. "The amend
ment in this particular instance was
offered by the distinguished Senator
from Ohio (Mr. Hardingl and was
supported by the distinguished Sena-
81 regret exceedingly that any re
sponse should be made by me to what
has lust been stated by the distin-
guished and eloquent Senator from
Missouri. but feel Mr.. President,
that | would be wanting in the afec-
ton that ] have for Theodore Roose-
Welt if ] did not at least register
dissent and answer in a feeble way
that which has been said upon this
floor to-day, and in answering ! an
swer not in bitterness of spirit at all
and | do not answer in elimination or
recrimination in any degree. an
swer the distinguished Senator from
Missouri because ] am the friend OF
Theodore Roosevelt, and in the terri
tory from which ] come when friend
is assaled it is the duty OF his friend
even inadequately, feebly and weakly,
but TO the best of his ability, at least
TO respond.
~ listened with surprise, with cha
grin: ave, as a Senator of the United
States. the youngest in service upon
this floor, listened with humiliation
TO the eloquent remarks of the senior
Senator from Missouri as he excori-
ated Theodore Roosevelt, and as he
held up to the scorn and the con-
tumely of this nation what he termed
contemptuously the Roosevelt divi-
sion.' With every variety of scorn that
il was possible for him to infuse into
the words, again and again he spoke
of the Roosevelt division under this
amendment.
o. dc nt "a "a