Mexico Missouri message., 1918-08-29

~~~~~O~~~~~~~~O~N~N~S~
atty announces the output of merchant
ships by the allies and neutral nations
for the three months ending June 30
exceeded the losses from all causes by
296,696 gross tons. The American
yards are now turning out vesGels with
extraordinary rapidity. The launch
ing of the first one from the great gov~
ernment yard at Hog island was att
tended by President and Mrs. Wilson.
IA
Our war departments army program
was partly revealed to the senate COM
mittee on military affairs by General
March, chief of staff, when he ap-
peared before it to urge all possible
haste in passing the bill extending the
draft age limits to eighteen and forty
five years. Conclsely stated, the pro-
gram is as follows:
Ninety-eight divisions - 100000
men-to make up troops obtained un-
der existing law.
Eighty divisions-3,20 100000 men--to
be sent to France.
Eighteen divisions-720,00O men-to
be held in reserve in the United States
while additional recruits are being
trained.
An army when completed of 5,000,-
600 men, minimum strength.
Troop movement to France at the
rate of 100000 men month until cold
weather sets in, meaning over 100000
more men abroad before the first of the
year.
An expeditionary force of almost g.
100000 men in France by January 1.
General March told the committee
the United States can end the war by
getting 100000 trained troops, fully
equipped, into France, and ne intimat-
ed that Marshal Foch is only await
ing the arrival of the Americans In
full strength to hurl the entire united
military strength of the allies at the
Huns on the western front. This tre-
mendous blow, he intimated, was due
to fall next spring. The chief of staff
said he did not bSlieve ii would be
necessary to send the eighteen-year-old
class to the firing line but that the
government wants these young men
would be satisfactory if the bill were
passed Immediately after congress re
sumes the transaction of business on,
August 26. Some of the senators be-
lieved quicker action would be advis-
able. Chairman Dent of the house mil
itary affairs committee. clinging to the
anti and ante-war ideas that always
have animated his actions. shows no
desire to have the bill considered by
his committee In time for early pas
sage. 1t was stated that the sensible
members of the committee, headed by
Representative Kahn, probably would
have to take charge of the measure.
Why the small-minded Dent is not
ousted from his Craftsmanship of this
most important committee remains one
of the mysteries. Other men connect
ed with the administration and the
government, who were pacifists and
small army and navy advocates, have
seen the error Of their ways long since
and are doing everything in their power
to help win the war. but no such light
Eliminates the dense mind of Dent
-M
The house ways and means commit
tee is still busy with the next revenue
measure. Secretary Of the Treasury
McAdoo has informed Chairman Kitch-
in that he is strongly in favor of fiat
war profits tax of so per cent, which
he believes would render unnecessary
I. any increase in the existing excess
profits tax rate, and would also be.
found the only way TO reach real war
prOfteering. The committee has
agreed upon section that would call
on the president to pay tax of $24,-
600 as his part of the country's fnan..
cIal war burden and under which the
Supreme court justices, all federal
judges and all state officers would be
taxed. "There is a great sentiment all
over the country" said Mr.. Kltchin,
"that no one should be exempted from
taxation" In which Mr.. Kitchin
speaks the exact liuth.
~
The federal trade commission has
recommended that the government
take control Of all the principal stock.
yards. cold-storage plants and ware
houses and Of refrigerator and cattle
cars, in order to destroy the monopoly
which II declares Is exercised hy Swift
& Co, Armour & CO., Morris & Co. WIZ.
son & Co.. Inc, and the cudahy Pack
ing company. The commission ac-
scuses these concerns OF Illegally and
oppressively controlling and manipu-
lating the meat and other food supplies
Of the nation, and OF proiiteefing.