Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-08-04
SATURDAY. AUGUST 4. 1917.
TINE FOR my CONSTITUENTS IL
GET BUSY.

Nero fiddled while Rome burned. - the
saying goes. But then history implies that
the vast conflagration was caused al the
instance OF the emperor 50 that he might
thereby derive inspiration for a great sony
to immortalize his name.
In the case of the American congress-. il
j. different. While men are diving by the
rope and American ships being sunk by the
efiemy, congress continues Ia split hairs
over war measures and delays legislation
which Is absolutely necessary that We may
properly equip our army and navy for the
light. But 1t Is not 10 crafty anyone
nlordinate vanity that our lawmakers pIa,
with the safety of American lives and Of
Americas most vital interests. 1t may be-
pare childishne9>. Ii may be Tor the sake
al securing protection for this or that in
icrest, that they battle daily over provi-
sions for raising the necessary revenue, or
delay such measures az the food %conlrol
resolution. But, whatever may be the rc.i-
ION for their behavior, the fact that j.
coming home TO the American people more
and more forcibly every day i that our
lawmakers are burning time in their own
usual l~eIsurely way, while The country j.
in the most desperate need of immediate
action. Four months of precious time has
l,een wasted.
General ~Pershing's army j. already in
the field, eager to 20 into action. II
through these interminable and inexcn-a
bic delays, the efficiency of our army i
impaired, and Per>hIng'S expedition results
~ disaster thereby, the blame will lie at
the door of congress. But it will do no
good 10 know where the blame lie>. after
u Is too late.
Congress should rem, mbcr that, while
We Americans falter and hesitate over pre-
i.frafory measures, Germany ALREADY ha,
measured the strength of our force over
sea, and doubtless already has planned it,
destruction.
u J. now over four months since Amcri-
ca acknowledged that a STATE of war ex-
ISIS between Tins country and GERMANY
Congress was appealed to immediately 10
10 IT. part towards providing means for
lre>sing our fright against the enemy. Con
sro~s is IN duty bound to stand by The adj
iiini-iration, 10 maintain the confidence
ot the people in the strength ~ our GOV
eminent, TO see that the government i M
held and enabled IN every Way possible
to defend our cause quickly and surely.
The shIpbuildIng board also has caused
The entire country modification by it, de-
lay in pushing the work entrusted ID i
Every time a German U-boal sinks IN.
American ship, our people turn r,proach-
mi eyes towards that board, which ~,
put on the work of con~i ruciiun al -bip-
while two OF It's members fought ont then
femperamental difference. and which sill
delays, considering whether We shall build
wooden or steel ships, "a whether I'M, 81
that concern shall have the contract, for
theie construction.
Perhaps the peVple-iu-t he plain pco-
pie. known To the member Of con-rc-. y.
my constituents'-mi.'lr help The cau-e
Just now, If they would set busy with the
telegraph. A few wires tellin. The mem.
bers Of congress that he PEOPLE are arrow
10. impatient, or informing the shipping
board that the people are hon ing it res
pon-Iblc for our failure 10 build the shin
needed SO badly, might have good effect
Most public men are sensitive IL telegram.
from the people whom they represent.