Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-02-06
Mem MBERS
OF HOUSE
CRITICISE
PRESIDENT
"Whip and Spur" Method of
Forcing Big Navy Bill
ExCiteS Comment on
Secrecy at Paris.

Washington, Feb s.-Considera-
ton by the house today of the an
nual naval appropriation bill brought
forth more criticism of President
Wilson, some members asserting
that he was endeavoring to force
the authorization of new three-year
building program without taking
congress into his confidence as to
events at Paris, which made such
legislation necessary at this time.
Discussion along this line follow
ed receipt by Chairman Padgett of
the naval committee of cablegram
from the president expressing sat
isfaction with the decision of the
naval committee to recommend the
new construction program.
There was little debate on the bill
itself and the opposition to the pro-
posed increase in naval ships was
voiced directly by only one member,
Representative Little of Kansas, re-
publican, who declared the construc-
ton would add to the country's
financial burdens "at a time when
we have no enemy in the world"
Resents Implied Threat,
Representatives Graham of Illi-
nois,republican, declaring adesire for
a big navy, said the new program
was mot extraordinarily large for
our future safety" but added that in
voting for the expansion it would be
humiliating for him if it appeared
that he did so "by the whip. and
spur that is being administered by
the president" He referred to a mess
sage sent by the president to Sec
retary Daniels insisting on the three
year program and which was the
subject Of debate in the house~yes-
terday.
1T has been matter Of extreme
humiliation" said Mr.. Graham be
lieving as do in large navy, to see
coming into orr counsels here this
covert threat which has been sent
to us by the president under which
I believe the majority of this house
today is acting.
we have a report that Mas inz
duced by some threat or statement
or information sent by the president
which you and /, as representatives
of the people, cannot have the adj
vantage of, but which we must act
under or be perhaps be put under
the ban of being against the adj
ministration in the carrying out of
this policy. tits an unfair advantage
OF this house, to the country and one
that is not justifiable in the light of
the presidents stand for open
covenants openly arrived at
Information Lacking.
The only information we have is
a little communication that comes
to US once a day." continued Mr.,
Graham, 'that tells what somebody
has done somewhere, that conveys
no informatiorT and nothing more do
We know. Even the information
under which we are called upon to
pass this legislation is whispered by
the secretary Of the navy to the
chairman of the naval committee,
and we are expected to sit here like
bumps on a log and vote without
knowing what we are voting for"
Representative Little in opposing
the building program declared that
no necessity for appropriations for
the construction is even suggested"
and that no argument for its passage
was presented to congress.
we are told that we should ap-
propriate for this increased navy be-
cause some sombre and mysterious
message, the text of which cannot
be given to the greatest parliament
tary body Of the world, says we
ought to do So" he asserted. 1T
seems TO me / can hear a voice COM
manding more authority, which says
look out, this is the money of the
people YOU are spending"