Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-07-24
SENATOR SMITH HAS.
SUPPORTED PRESIDENT
IN WAR LEGISLATION
Has Voted for All AdminiStra-
ton Measures, War OeCIara-
tons, SeIective Service Es-
pionage and Food Control
ny RALPH SIXTH.

BY RALPH SMITH
WASHINGTON. July 23.-DecIaring
that their Implication" are unjust and
false and that he might well suppose
they were circulated by an unscrupu-
Ious political opponent whose object was
to influence an election" Senator Hoke
smith has written the officers of the
Georgia Historical association, taking
them TO task for their recent criticisms
of his course in Washington with re-
spect 20 the war.
Copies Of the senator's letter were
given TO the press today. following the
dispatch of the communication on Sat-
urday 10 Messrs. Lucian L. knight. At
lanta. Theodore H Jack. Oxford, and
R P. Brooks. Athens, president vice
president and secretary, respectively, OF
the Historical association.
Coincident with Senator Smiths let
ter to the officers Of the Historical as
ISOLATION. Dr. A. J.. Mckelway, legisla-
tive agent Of the National Child Labor
association, made public the copy OF a
letter he has written President knight
concerning the historical society's criti-
cism of Senator Smith. DR.. McKelway
acted on his own initiative and without
the knowledge OF Senator Smith. He
criticizes good naturedIy the inaccuracy
OF Mr.. Knights association. and sug-
gests that above all. an historical So
ciety should strive 70 be historically
correct.
SENATOR SMITHS LETTER.
The letter OF Senator Smith follows:
Washington. D. C. July 20. 1917.
Mr.. L. L. knight. President. Atlanta
Mr. Theodore II. Jack. vice president.
Oxford
Mfr. r p. Brooks. secretary. Athens,
Georgia Historical association.
Gentlemen: I received today a cir
cuIar. dated July IL. 1917. addressed ITO
the members OF the Georgia Historical
association" with your names. printed
at the close.
In your circular your present a state
ment which you beg your members to
secure publication of in local papers
The statement is headed: The
Georgia Historical association calls on
the Georgia senators to support the
president
THE statement is so unjust and false
IN the implications IL carries with refer
ence to myself. that I might we'll sup
pose II was circulated by an unscrupu-
lous political opponent whose object was
to influence an election
- am sstonished that it came from
YOU.
You begin with an excellent presen-
tation OF the justice and wisdom Of the
course pursued by President Wilson in
-suspeuding diplomatic relations with
Germany and afterwards asking con-
gress for a declaration Of war.
You should have followed this part
of your statement by giving to your
readers the further information that
the president consulted with senators.
myself among the number. before he
terminated diplomatic relations with
Germany. and that 7 fully approved and
advocated The course which he subse-
guently pursued
You might also have added that I
supported the declaration Of war
Your next paragraph declares that:
"GermanOphiles and paciNcists pro-
ceeded TO use every resource at their
command 10 cripple the government in
the effective conduct OF the war The
main fight was made against selective
CONSUMPTION
You then 90 on to make an excel
lent argument in favor Of conscriptIon
OF the draft system
Following this paragraph YOU
should have added that was not among
the. number you were criticizing. for I
voted for the draft system
You then declare that:
Fl" Defeated I'm the matter of con-
scription. the disaffected among US
80 are now blocking every measure in
tended TO give the administration that
necessary power which our history
shows 10 he irdiSpenSa ole IN such cir
cumstanceS- Control over our ship
ping and transportation. over the out
rut OF our Industrial plants. over the
production. prices and distribution Of
food stufrs. IS being bitterly assaiIed.'
SMITH VOTED FOR CONSUMPTION.
As accurate historians should YOU
not then have stated how voted on
prescriptions Had you done so. YOU
would have a. once disconnected me
from those referred TO in this part Of
YOUR article
You are supposed TO ne acquainted
with ;he facts and II YOU are YOU
should have added that 7 supported the
-niupIuz legislation. and after helping
peTfect 60. the transportation leEisla-
lion. thar 7 supported the measures
living control over tho output Of in
duStriaI plants. and 7 actively support
81 tho bill for the increase Of produc-
tiru NJ food =tuGfs. and that ! aTnOunc-
81 when IN Atlanta on June 2lst. that
would support the legislation regu-
Iatiug prices and distribution OF food
stuffs. n the outside matter were re-
moved from the bill
The food control bill as " first
made its appearance. contained pro
visions that could not and ought not
- have become laws
1T declared control OF the farm from
the time the seed were planted until
the crops were gathered and it also
declared control of the amount and
character Of food that an individual
might consume
u, provided for fixing maximum
.r.-s4-.A - pau~ a col Al