The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1917-05-30
PEOPLE May
LOSE POWER
THROUGH WAR
SAYS WATSON
Senator Tells Memorial Aud.
ience That He Opposes
Autocratic Measures.
PLEADS FOR SERVICE

Senator Watson today warned the
people of this community against con.
verting this Republic into an autoc-
racy by granting the president unlim.
tied power in order to conquer auto
cratic Germany. He was speaking at
the Memorial Day services at the
Coliseum this afternoon.
Approximately 1000 persons gather
ed at the Coliseum during the excr.
cises to pay homage to the men who
fought and died in the days of 81 TO
freedom.
Opened With Concert
The Memorial services were opened
with a concert by the Richmond City
band. consisting OF patriotic music.
The invocation was read by the Rev.
F. A. Dressed, of First English Luther
an church, and was followed by the
singing OF the Star Spangled Ban
ner," led by Mrs. Emma Hadley.
Following Mrs. Hadley's song. mem
bers of Sol Meredith post, G. A. r..
performed the ritual service for their
departed comrades and a patriotic
exercise, given AS tribute to the un.
known dead soldiers OF the war. was
given by a class Of little girls, under
the direction OF one Of the members
Of the Women's Relief Corps.
Student Reads Address
Ralph Ballinger, a High school stu
dent, then delivered the famous Get.
tysburg Address OF Abraham Lin
coin, and was followed by Senator
Watson. the principal speaker of the
exercises. -s .N
Senator Watson, in his address paid
q high tribute to the soldiers of the
Civil war, but declared that the peo-
pie OF this country may better glorify
the men who fought and died ip that
struggle by doing all In their power
to aid the government Of this country
In the present war for the freedom
of down trodden humanity.
Pleads for support.
He urged his hearers not only to
support their government by their
speech. but to give all the material aid
possible in contributing to the finances
Of the nation in buying Liberty bonds.
helping the food situation by being
economical In their food consumption
and In raising bigger crops. and lastly,
in giving their greatest encouragement
to the host Of young men of this coun-
try who are about to take up arms for
the conservation OF the principles Of
freedom.
Senator Watson spoke encouragingly
OF the submarine situation. He gave
parts Of the recent report Of the fed
eral shipping board which showed an
enormous loss to shipping by the u
boats. but declared that the scientists
OF the National Defense Council. were
great pleased With the results OF the
recent experiments and investigations
to find way to successfully combat
the menace.
Sink,nss Totsi Huge.
According to the report" Senator
Watson said, government officials
claim that the sinkings In the last two
months was 1000. 900 tons. This claim
has never been denied and statistics
given out by the British government
seem clearly to sustain 1t.
The report showed, he declared. that
Germany, with her skill and unlimited
quantity ot French iron. Is capable OF
turning out three or four submarines
a day, aud that In view of this fact
the menace is far from overcome.
To prove the statement concerning
the increase In the rate OF submarine
production. the report showed that one
American bridge company can con-
struct one submarine a day. while Ger
many. as nation with two years ex.
perience can treble. or quadruple this
amount.
Oppose Censorship.
Senator Watson, In speaking of the
impending war legislation. now before
the national congress, declared that
he was opposed to some of the moro!
autocratic measures Introduced into
that body. Among these. were the
Censorship bill and the Food control
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