New-York tribune., 1919-03-15
Democratic Chairman Ar
raigns Republicans for
Opposition TO Wilson
Scores Lodge and Knox
Also Declares Committee
Chairmen in Next Cong.
ress Opposed the War

present form was pledged last night by
Homer S. Cummings, national Demo-
cratic chairman, at dinner given in
his honor by the National Democratic
Club.
Mr.. Cummings also launched a bitter
attack against the Republican party for
its failure to support President Will
son OF this issue, criticised the argu-
ments against the covenant advanced
by Senators Lodge and Knox, and cen
surcd the Republicans for the men
they have chosen as committee chair
men in the next Congress.
He said that the Republican party.
If left to itself, would mako of Amer
lea "a Stacker nation" and urged his
hearers to stand firm against this at
tempt.
Josephus Daniels. Secretary OF the
Navy, echoed Mr.: Cummngss state
mcnts, deploring the "superheated elo-
quence Of the political leaders Of the
opposition and charging that SEN
ators Knox and Lodge voted with a
vast majority Of both houses OF Con
gress in favor Of measure empower
ing the President to do everything in
his power to create such league as
they now are opposing.
Mr.. Daniels said he referred to the
naval appropriation act, approved by
the President on August 20, 1916.
This, he said, was passed by 306 to 4
in the House and Z to 8 in the Senate.
He Quotes From Bill
One clause Of the act authorizes the
President "to invite at an appropriate
time, not later than the close of the
war in Europe, all the great govern
mcnts of the world to send representa-
tlvcs to Il conference, which shall be
charged with the duty of formulating
a plan for a court OF arbitration or
other tribunal to which disputed que f.;
tions between nations shall be referred
for adjudication and peaceful scttlo-
ment, and to consider the question Of
disarmament and submit their recon
mcndations to their respective govern
ments for approval"
"The same Republican Congrcs
and Senators who have proved to have
such extraordinarily short memories, -
MI. Daniels said, latter having year
to think it all over, reenacted such
parts OF the original law involving ap-
preparations as required such action to
keep it alive. From the daily news
roo1 - ~,
tlemen's loud protestations. From "The
Congressional Record" you can read
their votes. Was ever such transparent
political looking two ways attempted
on long suffering people ?"
An Observing Citizen
Mr.. Cummings spoke in part as fol-
"An observing citizen2 cannot fail
to be aware of the unusual efforts
which the Republican leaders have
been making for the last TWO or three
years to regain the mastery of the
machinery of government, To this pur-
pose they have brought all their in
genuity, have summoned all their re-
soulcefulness, have magnified beyond
all reason minor errors of judgment in
the. conduct of the great war, have
modified the forces of irritation and
discomfort, and have made tacit con-
cesslons to certain elements, which, to
say the least, show tendencies toward
open sedition. 1t is an unholy alliance
and cannot prevail.
Ever since the war began in Eu-
rope in 1914 our ears have been vexed
by the wild cries of the opposition,
proclaiming superior brand of
patriotism, and now at the very first
sign of return to partial authority
the leaders of the Republican party
in the Senate have placed themselves
in opposition to league of nations,
and the leaders in the House of Repre-
sentatives have selected for floor
leader Congressman Mondell, of Wyom-
ing, who voted against the tablng Of
the McLemore resolution and opposed
the selective draft law.
Senator Penrose is to be chairman
Of tha great Senate Committee Of
Finance, and the reactionares are die
tating the policy of the party. Ford
ney, of Michigan, who voted against
the tabling of the McLemore resolu-
ton, is to be chairman of the great
Committee on Ways and Means. Por-
ter, OF Pennsylvania, who voted for
the Cooper amendment to prevent the
arming Of merchant ships, is to be
chairman Of the Committee on Foreign
Affairs. Esch, of Wisconsin, who vote d
against war, against tabling the Nc
Lemore resolution and against arming
merchant ships, is to be chairman Of
the Committee on interstate and For
eign Commerce.
"Haugen, OF Iowa, VINO voted against
war and against tabling the McLemore
resolution and against the espionage
bill and who tried to kill the food sur.
vey bill, is rewarded by the chairman
ship of the Committee on Agriculture
Campbell, of aKnsas, who voted against
the food survey bill, the espionage act
and the arming of merchant ships, is
to be chairman of the great Committee
on Rules. Good, of Iowa who voted
rong on the McLemore resolution and
against arming merchant ships, is to
have the Craftsmanship of the Commit
tee on Appropriations. And the well
known William Mann, of Illinois. who
voted against war. against the draft
against the espionage bill and whose
public utteranccs are even more Of
fensive than his votes, is, by a curious
kind of irony, to be found on the Com
mlttee on Foreign Affairs.
1T is a pitiful conclusion to n cam
pagn based upon such ardent promises
1T is an extraordinary thing that those
who were loudest for war seem now to
be most determined that America shall
relinquish the duties which have fallen
to her lot as result of the war. Dur
hn nt Al