New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1918-10-01
Cites Pre-War Reforms

The federal reserve, farm loan,
agricultural extension, tariff commits
sion and other laws enacted by
democratic congress put the country
on a stable basis before the war be
gan. And democratic support of war
measures has vitalized the whole war
program.
Just as the federal reserve law, the
tariff commission act, and others were
enacted over republican opposition.
the shipping board bill, three war
revenue measures and indeed, the war
resolution itself, were put through
over stubborn opposition by the mi
nority
THE shipping board whose value Is
now appreciated by the whole coun-
try and by all the allies of America,
was held up for two years-lacking
only twenty-one days-by republican
opposition. That was a chapter in
the history of war preparation and
foresight the republicans now would
like the country to forget.
The shipping bill was introduced
at the behest of President Wilson in
September, 1914 He then foresaw,
as everyone DOW realizes, that an
abundance of ships would be absolute
ly essential not only to take care Of
Americas overseas commerce in time
of peace, but to transport our armies
and supplies to Europe if Germany
forced us, as she ultimately did, into
the world war.
''The original shipping bill was pass
ed by the house in January, 1915, not
with republican aid but despite re-
publican opposition. 1t went to the
senate, where it was killed by the now
memorable republican filibuster con-
Quoted up to nearly the very hour
that congress expired by constitutional
limitation in March of 1915. Reintro-
duced the next session, it was August
Of 1916 before republican opposition
finally was conquered by the demo-
Gratis, and the important measure
written into law
''Win the republican leaders now
deny that they held UP the ship
building program two years by these
obstructive tactics? They dare not,
they cannot, because the record fur
nishes indiGOutahle proof of the in
dictment. Tt was not because of help
but desHftN republican opposition in
, congress that the administration has
| eclipsed the world in shipbuiIding.
''The ship bill was opposed by 100
republicans and only one dem ocrat in
the house, and by 81 republicans an6
no democrats in the senate.
Revenue Bills Opposed
Il mention this as a single instance
Dozens Of war measures could be cit
ed to show how democratic support
and democratic support alone has
kept the administrators war pro-
| gram moving. The three great rev.
/ enue bills of 1916, 1917 and 1918
| were opposed by many republicans
| on partisan grounds. Had they not
/ been supported by the democrats, the
! administration would have been with
! out funds to prepare for and carry
| on the war. With the election ap-
| preaching the republicans for the
! time being are rallying to the support
| Of the administration, as witness the
unanimous passage last week by the
| house of the pending revenue bill.
This Is in striking contrast to the
| republican record on previous rev.
| enue-producing bills.
| "Repu blican leaders seek to make
an issue of their support of the Sc
| lective service act. AS a matter of
| fact, the opposition to the original
| draft measure was negligible, only