Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-09-23
FERRIS ATTACKS
HOUSE MINORITY
Declares Republican Members
Seek to Obstruct Admins
tration's Plans.
HITS DEMOCRATIC KEYNOTE
Discloses Recorded Votes on
Vital Measures Dealing With
War Crisis.

WASHINGTON. September 22-Ac-
cepting. with unexpected promptncss
the challenge Of the Republican cam
paisn managers. issued only ycster-
day. for an open comparison OF the
Republican and Democratic records in
congress upon war measures. Scott
Ferris chairman of the Democratic
Congressional Campaign Committee
tonight boldly characterized the Re
puoIcan minority. viewed as n whole.
AS deliberate obs,ructionists of Presi-
dent wilson's main policies.
In lengthy public statement. he
asserts with emphasis that the Demo
Gratis OF the House and Senate have
In the war crisis. In support OF his
charge. he reviews the votes OF Re
publican and Democratic members II
the two bodies on a long series OF the
most important war measures
Coming directly from Chairman Fer
ris. to whom the task OF accomplish
gross has been entrusted by the party
leaders at washington; and bearing
the Democratic National Committee.
the statement is construed as sound
ing the Democratic keynote OF the
approaching campaign.
It's vigorous tone indicates that the
Democratic leaders here have con
Guided that the time has come to ag
tacks by an open campaign Of counter
publicity on the part Of the constitu-
ted heads OF the Democratic national
They claim that the agitation was
adroitly planned and begun by the Re
pubiicans at this early date in order
70 eHiDarasS the Democrats in view of
the Presidents suggestion that poli-
tics be adjourned.
The statement Of Mr. Ferris which
was Immediately provoked by the pub
lie condemnation of the record In
Songrsss CoJ,srsa, Of the inajority party made
acting Republican floor leader of the
House. and Chairman Fess of the Re-
publican congressional committee, IS
pubic criticism by the Republicans.
II is in reality an official call to the
nar,y coiors Of administration sup
porters throughout the country.
Unity OF action in Washington is
as essential now as unity OF military
command In France" is one OF the
modest appeal to the American
awaits the result of the November
elections.
In the face OF recorded notes and
FACTIONS. it Ia idle for the Republican
leaders to, assert that the Republican
minority in Congress has been con-
structtve. The contrary is the case.
lust as the Federal reserve law the
tarln commission act and others were
shipping bill three war revenue meas
ures. and. indeed the war resolution
itself. were put through over stubborn
opposition OF the minority"
Chairman Ferris outlines the history
OF the shipping bin. whose value. he
points out is appreciated by the whole
that the Republicans held up this bill
In Congress for two years-lacking
in August, 1915, $50 Republicans and
only one Democrat in the House voting
against il. In the Senate IL was OPP
posed by twcntyone Republicans and
no Democrats
CITES MANY MEASURES
HELD uP Bl REPUBLICANS
Dozens OF war measures. could be
cited to show how Democratic, support
and Democratic support alone, has kept
up The administrations war program"
Mr Ss Of s 'hass asa sis
were opposed by many Republicans on
partisan grounds. With. the elections
time being are rally to the support oT
the administration. AS witness the
unanimous n]assaGs ] last hi,, week by the
Mr.. Ferris then proceeds to contrast
the Republican with the Democratic
votes on score H or s%s TTe 6e S ar rsn
luton was opposed by thirtytwo Re
pub!icans and sixteen Democrats; the
leans of the high seas) was tabled
only after l03 Republicans and thirty
two Democrats bad voted against this
was opposed by 1913 Republican Repre-
sentativcs to only two Democrats; es
pionage act opposed by ninety-scven
Republicans and nine. Democrats; food
survey bill opposed by siNty-hvc Re-
publicans and sixteen Democrats; rail-
road control bill opposed by four Re-
publicanS and two Democrats.
In the Senate. thirteen Republicans
and one Democrat sought to block IT,
-Four Republican Representatives
and sixteen Senators voted against the
telegraph and telephone control bill,
whereas there was no Democratic Op-
position pointed out Mr.. Ferris Nor
was there any Democratic opposition
TO the war finance corporation bill,
whereas two Republican Representa-
tives opposed. two voted present and
two Republican Senator'S voted against
It.