Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1918-07-12
FRIDAY. JULY II. 1918.
SMhNS0kT HEAD
NAVAL. COMMITTEE

wig lHld, was ClCItCo SHoii MA
of the Senate naval affairs COM
nittee by the Senate, to succeed
the late Senator Tillman of
South Carolina. He has for
years been ranking democratic
member of tile naval affairs COM
,nittee, and has handled the ma
val appropriations bills on the
floor of Senate when Senator
Tillman was too i'll to do so.
At the same time Senator
Swanson reiinquished the chair
manslllp of the committee on
public buildings and grounds,
though he still remains mem
Der of that committee.
ENTERED CONGRESS IN 1892.
Senator Swanson was elected
to Congress in 1892, representing
the fifth congressional district
of Virginia in the House of Rep
reseutatives until 1905, when he
resigned to De inaugurated Gov
ernor of Virginia. He was Gov
ernor of Virginia four years, and
on .he death of Senator Daniel
was appointed his successor TO
fill out his unexpired term. Sena-
tor Swanson has twice been re-
elected to the Senate by large
majorities.
While member of the Hous
Of Representatives Senator Swar-
SOP served on tile ways and means
com mittee. ranking ahead o.
Speaker Clark and Majorit,
Leader Underwood. Had he con
tinued his services in the House
of Representatives he would have
on account of his seniority, UNI
der the prevailing custom, been
either Speaker of the House or
chairman of the committee on
ways and means and ma jority
leader.
Senator Swanson, On coming
to the Senate, was assigned
the committee on foreign rela-
lions and the committee on naval
affairs, on which committees he
is serving at the present time
He has served actively on tie
Committee Oh foreign relations
and has always been a staunch
advocate of all aggressive Amer
lean policy.
STOOD FOR BIG NAVY EARLY AS
1912.
Senator Swanson, as ranking
mocratic member of the COM
mittee on naval affairs, has for
years strongly urged the inn
portance of large and efficient
Navy. On June s 1912, he d.
livered, in tie Senate, a speech
uiging large increase i'll the |
Navy. In this speech lie said:
Is the German empire making |
psodigious expenditures for II
great navy, with All immense
II wal policy of expansion extend
ing to 1917, for the mere purpos,
of show and parade and as
harmless plaything for the mail
e hands of her imperial ruler p
He pointed out that our nationa
safety and progress could not bt
maintained by paper parchments
and reaties-tllat on account oil
Conditions then existing we coult |
only depend on military force
and strength to vindicate thes.
rights. In pointing out the
necessity for immediate prep
aration he used these words:
Mr.. President, wars do not com,
now, as formerly, after years oil
protracted differences and i'll will
but they come suddenly like sum
iner storms, unleralded and un
expected.
Tic advantages OF quicl
decisive action are now SO gree
that in the future wars will COM
like lightning bolts from almo,i |
clear skies. Nations must be
prepared in naval ornaments i'll
they are to have success upon Il e
seas
This speech indicated a fore
s ght into conditions which de-
veioped and brought On tie j
present war. I,
WORK ON NAVAL BILL IN 1916. II
Senator Swanson has continued
in season and out of season tol
urge large and substantial in
crease iii the Navy In 1916
when on account of the lime. s
81 Senator Tillman he was act !,
ing chairman or the committee Il
8 naval affairs, he had charge I
# the naval appropriation bill
Il fhe Senate. which became law